A capability approach for seismic risk analysis and management - Seismic Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure Systems - page 261

expected dollar per unit change of viable policies is determined, a sensitivity
analysis can further aid understanding of which policy(-ies) will most sig-
nifi cantly affect the predicted impact.
10.4 Benefi ts of a capability approach
There are a number of benefi ts to using a capability approach when dealing
with questions of seismic safety and risk. In this section, we provide an
overview of some of these general benefi ts, focusing on those related to the
desiderata for an adequate account discussed in the previous section (for a
comprehensive overview of these benefi ts, see Gardoni and Murphy, 2009).
First, a capability approach conceptualizes consequences in a way that
captures the broader consequences of a hazard for a community and mea-
sures these consequences using a consistent metric. The capability approach
identifi es those dimensions of well-being that are characteristically impacted
by natural hazards as the consequences risk analysis should consider. By
framing well-being in terms of capabilities, this approach can capture the
broader and indirect consequences of hazards, because of the impact of
these consequences on the genuine opportunities of individuals. The more
comprehensive picture of the societal impact of hazards is needed for accu-
rate policy and decision-making regarding natural hazards.
Moreover, the metric used to assess the societal impact of natural hazards
does not rely upon controversial judgment about the monetary value of a
human life, nor does it require us to assign a market value to all consequences.
Instead, the consequences are defi ned on the basis of distinct indicators.
Second, a capability approach explicitly considers the fairness of the dis-
tribution of risks and of the benefi ts of mitigation efforts. A method of disag-
gregation can be used to determine the differential impact of hazards and/
or mitigation efforts on sub-groups within a population. Third, it can address
a concern for environmental and sustainability in the long run. Permanent
environmental damage reduces many capabilities of individuals.
Fourth, the capability approach can facilitate communication about risks
and mitigation policies to the public and among diverse groups of policy
makers, in the process generating confi dence among the public in the meth-
odology and results from the approach. The basic idea of capabilities is intui-
tively understandable, and the indicators used to measure capabilities
intuitively plausible. The approach is transparent in value judgment that
underpins it, in particular the general concern with protecting and promot-
ing individual capabilities. It is also transparent in the standards used to
judge the acceptability of a risk and the basis for making mitigation deci-
sions. Fifth, and relatedly, the capability-based approach provides a space for
the public to inform policies regarding seismic safety and risk, while at the
same time leaving a distinct role for risk experts in policy implementation.