Seismic hazard mitigation and construction decision-making: learning lessons for flood threatened hospitals in the UK

As a result of global warming, natural hazards are a growing threat with many countries being been affected by severe weather. The UK endured floods in summer 2007, causing an estimated £3bn in damages; it has been suggested that future events could cause £20bn of damages by 2080. Such events have highlighted the vulnerability of the UK but also the value of the measures that reduce the impact of natural hazards. The majority of structures in the UK are old with masonry being the main method of construction; these structures support critical services such as healthcare and emergency response facilities. This paper investigate how hazard mitigation activities have been embedded into the construction decision making processes of nations that are threatened by seismic hazards (such as Japan) and determine what lessons (if any) can be learnt to improve hazard mitigation activities the UK. This paper focuses on the possible transferability of seismic hazard mitigation processes in relation to the protection of hospital facilities from flooding events in the UK.