Review of Seismic Risk Mitigation Policies in Earthquake-Prone Countries: Lessons for Earthquake Resilience in the United States

Published

April 25, 2021

Author(s)

Yating Zhang, Juan Fung, Katherine Johnson, Siamak Sattar

Abstract

This article reviews the current state of practice in seismic risk mitigation, focusing on policies in ten of the most earthquake-prone countries around the world. In particular, the review compares policies to retrofit existing buildings and mechanisms for financing seismic risk mitigation, within the context of seismic risk and design standards for each country. The goal of the review is to identify policy best practices that may be useful for national and local governments that are interested in improving their earthquake resilience. The result is a set of best practice recommendations that are organized conceptually around key stages of the seismic retrofit process: (1) risk assessment; (2) knowledge transfer; (3) setting targets; (4) implementation; and (5) monitoring. While these lessons may be valuable to any earthquake-prone country, the recommendations are framed with particular attention to the United States where seismic risk mitigation is primarily the responsibility of local governments.

Citation

Journal of Earthquake Engineering

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2021.1911889

Local Download

Keywords

seismic retrofit policy, earthquake resilience, building safety, hazard mitigation, best practice, incentive strategy

Citation

Zhang, Y. , Fung, J. , Johnson, K. and Sattar, S. (2021), Review of Seismic Risk Mitigation Policies in Earthquake-Prone Countries: Lessons for Earthquake Resilience in the United States, Journal of Earthquake Engineering, [online], https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2021.1911889, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=931148 (Accessed October 9, 2025)