Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10.3
A capability approach for seismic risk analysis
and management
The risks that earthquakes pose to communities have important implica-
tions for engineering (in terms of mitigation actions and construction prac-
tices). This section fi rst provides an overview of how risk is conceptualized
and measured by a capability approach along with a conceptual outline of
the practical implementation of a capability approach for risk analysis.
Additional details on the mathematical formulation of a capability approach
can be found in Gardoni and Murphy (2009, 2010) and Murphy and Gardoni
(2010). We then consider how standards for acceptable risk are formulated
in this approach. Finally, we discuss the public policy guidelines supported
by a capability approach.
10.3.1 Risk determination and measurement
Determining the risks due to natural events requires calculating the prob-
ability of occurrence and potential consequences of hazardous scenarios. In
the capability approach, the potential impact of a hazardous scenario is
defi ned in terms of the effect on individuals' capabilities.
Capabilities refer to the genuine opportunities open to individuals to
achieve valuable states and activities, or functionings (Sen 1999a,b; Nuss-
baum 2001). Being nourished, being educated, and being mobile are exam-
ples of functionings. The well-being or quality of life of individuals is a
function of the capabilities they enjoy. Whether or not an individual has a
genuine opportunity to achieve a functioning depends on two factors: his
or her resources and what he or she can do with those resources. Resources
are understood to broadly include internal assets (such as skills) and exter-
nal goods (such as income). What an individual can do or become with a
given set of resources is profoundly infl uenced by the physical infrastruc-
ture and social and political context within which he or she acts. To illustrate
the infl uence of these two factors, consider mobility in the aftermath of a
natural event. Whether an individual has a genuine opportunity to be
mobile depends on his or her resources, such as the possession of a bicycle
as well as venues where to ride the bike. Mobility also depends on whether
he or she can use a bike as a form of transportation. The presence of roads
or paths for bikes is important in this regard, and these are often damaged
or destroyed by natural events.
In practice, only a limited number of capabilities, or genuine opportuni-
ties, are open to an individual at any time (Robeyns 2006, p. 354; Murphy
and Gardoni 2010). This is because of the ways that diverse capabilities
interact. That is, choosing to pursue one opportunity, such as being edu-
cated, may enhance other capabilities, such as being employed. Conversely,
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