Land-use change and increased vulnerability Chapter uri icon

abstract

  • With over 50 percent of the US population residing in coastal areas, local decision makers are finding it increasingly difficult to protect critical natural resources, and facilitate the development of hazard-resilient communities. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Texas coast. Rapid urban and suburban development has resulted in loss of critical habitats and key species while at the same time placing human populations in areas vulnerable to natural hazards. These problems are exacerbated within major population centers, particularly the Houston/Galveston area, where population growth, sprawling development patterns, and the alteration of hydrological systems have created some of the most vulnerable communities in the nation. Copyright 2012 by Texas A&M University Press. All rights reserved.

author list (cited authors)

  • Brody, S. D.

complete list of authors

  • Brody, SD

Book Title

  • Lessons from Hurricane Ike

publication date

  • December 2012