Disasterville

21st century cities are highly complex entities, challenging to plan and manage from a positivist standpoint and threatened by a growing number of severe hazards. With this in mind, the thought-provoking title of the book, "Disasterville", aims to stimulate reflection regarding the vulnerability
of contemporary cities, which the book boldly labels as disaster cities. By doing so, the book emphasises that being a Disasterville is an existential condition of our cities, which transcends the experience of individual disaster events. This term encapsulates the perception of unstable equilibrium and ubiquitous presence of risk that pervades urban life at a time of global environmental, social, and economic crisis. It underscores the transitional nature of our built environment and the pressing need for a different approach to urban design, planning, and management.
Some view disasters as on-and-off tragedies from which we should bounce back, while others regard them as opportunities for urban renewal and economic advancement. Regardless of perspective, one undeniable truth persists: urban disasters leave behind a vast amount of rubble and human suffering, which must coexist with the remaining assets and ambitions of surviving citizens. This harsh reality precludes the possibility of a complete return to the prior material state of things or the prospect of an unconditional fresh start full of potential.
This book delves into the importance of formal methods in emergency urbanism and their potential role in reconciling the two contrasting views on disasters. It covers a wide range of topics, including strategic and scenario-based planning, multidimensional spatial assessments, exploitation of user-generated data, production of digital information packages, and construction of an integrating framework to connect all these elements together. The book examines these topics through three interconnected lenses: disaster risk, decision-making, and data analytics. It traces opportunities for reducing disaster risk by adopting methods and approaches that promote deliberation in the planning of physical urban transitions.

Camilla Pezzica holds a Research Doctorate from the Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering of the University of Pisa with a specialisation in Urban Design and Planning (ICAR 20). She is Lecturer at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, UK, where she has been actively involved in several international and national research projects since joining the institution in 2017. Her research focuses on linking disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Her research interests lie in the field of spatial analytics, digital simulation, urban modelling, and design.