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Page 10 of 16 Kodag et al. Dis Prev Res 2023;2:12 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/dpr.2023.11

Physical infrastructure
The population increase has led to growth of physical infrastructure and the built environment. The
demand for housing and aligned facilities is high, creating dense built footprint; hence, 75% of survey
participants feel the increasing density of buildings will add to the threat of disasters, while 20% disagree,
and 5% participants are unsure of the growing risk. In earthquakes and floods, the probability of damage for
such a dense built footprint is high. This was also evident from the past two urban flooding experiences
caused by heavy precipitation, which rated the risk as high. The dense built area makes 55% of participants
feel that additional FSI will impact the disaster safety of the occupants negatively, while 30% participants feel
there is a need for extra FSI, and 15% are unsure if disaster safety is compromised, rating the risk as
medium. Furthermore, 60% of the participants feel the side margins, as per building regulations to
accommodate the compact planning, will have negative impacts on the built environment and building
safety. Meanwhile, 20% disagree with this view, and 20% participants are unsure about the importance of
side margins. The squeezing of side margins can be an impediment in disaster scenarios, marking a high
risk to occupants. The increased height of the buildings will require energy intensive evacuation
mechanisms; 75% participants feel that it is a high risk from a disaster perspective, while 20% feel increasing
building height is required for a growing population, and 5% are not sure. The overall rating on the risk
scale is high.

Critical infrastructure and services
Critical infrastructure is important for DRR and early recovery. Hospitals with appropriate healthcare
facilities for emergency scenarios are assets; 70% of participants feel healthcare systems are quantitatively
adequate, while 15% participants disagree, and 15% participants feel there is a dire need to enhance the
healthcare system for DRR, rating the risk as medium. Similarly, 50% of participants experience that the
police stations are inadequate in comparison to population, while 25% participants disagree, and 25%
participants are not sure about police stations quantitatively, rating the risk as medium. The critical
facilities, such as fire stations, are of prime importance in disaster scenarios; 50% participants feel they are
inadequate, 25% participants feel they are quantitatively adequate, and 25% feel they are not equipped
appropriately to face disaster scenarios based on their past experiences. The easy movement and
accessibility of a fire engine in dense areas make the risk high. However, the overall risk from critical
infrastructure is rated as medium.

Pune, though it enjoys good water supply from four upstream dams, has lacunas in its water distribution
system, according to 65% participants. Meanwhile, 15% disagree, and 20% participants feel there is a need to
enhance the water management system, rating the risk as medium. Furthermore, 75% of the participants are
incredulous about the sewage management and treatment, 20% participants feel the sewage system is fair,
and 5% participants feel sewage system failure in disaster scenarios will add risk, especially during heavy
precipitation, marking the risk as high. According to 85% of the participants, the waste management system
in the city is inadequate, while 10% participants feel it is appropriate, and 5% population is skeptical about
it, rating it as high on the risk scale. The critical services are crucial for the sustenance of urban life. Failure
of these systems can hamper the recovery process in post-disaster scenarios. The overall risk for critical
services is rated high. The enhancement of these systems needs to be aligned for their performance in
emergency scenarios.

The results show most of the participants feel that the developmental decisions and planning along with
smart city initiatives may be appropriate in normal conditions but may not be efficient in disaster events.
This will expose populations to more risk and slow down the response and recovery process, as expressed in
Figure 4.