Regulation of Coastal Zones and Natural Disasters: Mitigating the Impact of Tsunamis in Chile Through Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract This paper analyzes the role of urban and regional planning in mitigating the impact of tsunamis in Chile, particularly in response to the tsunami of February 27, 2010. It examines the draft norms and policies to reduce the impact of tsunamis at the national level, as well as tsunami mitigation measures proposed in recent reconstruction plans by local councils. This paper shows that local regulations that mitigate the impact of tsunamis are being designed and developed in a weak national regulatory framework and are “improvised” at the local level. Therefore, a clear regulatory framework and set of urban polices is required in Chile at the national and local level to reduce vulnerability to tsunamis. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to mitigate the impact of tsunamis in Chile through urban and regional planning at the national and local level.