Books by Author Daniel Aldrich

Daniel P. Aldrich, 2016

One of the most vexing problems for governments is building controversial facilities that serve the needs of all citizens but have adverse consequences for host communities. Policymakers must decide not only where to locate often unwanted projects but also what methods to use when interacting with opposition groups. In Site Fights, Aldrich gathers quantitative evidence from close to five hundred municipalities across Japan to show that planners deliberately seek out acquiescent and unorganized communities for such facilities in order to minimize conflict.

Daniel P. Aldrich, 2012

Each year, natural disasters threaten communities worldwide. Yet, responses to recovery vary greatly in ways that aren’t explained by the magnitude of the catastrophe or the amount of aid provided. Aldrich shows that the difference between resilience and disrepair lies in the depth of communities’ social capital. Building Resilience highlights the critical role of social capital in the ability of a community to withstand disaster and rebuild. Aldrich examines the post-disaster responses of four communities and finds that those with robust social networks were better able to coordinate recovery. These communities were able to quickly disseminate information and assistance and minimize the migration of people and resources out of the area. With governments increasingly overstretched and natural disasters likely to increase, understanding what contributes to efficient reconstruction is more important than ever. Building Resilience underscores a critical component of an effective response

Daniel P. Aldrich, 2019

Despite the devastation caused by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and 60-foot tsunami that struck Japan in 2011, some 96% of those living and working in the most disaster-stricken region of Tōhoku made it through. Smaller earthquakes and tsunamis have killed far more people in nearby China and India. Why is it that some towns and cities in the Tōhoku region have built back more quickly than others? Aldrich shows that individuals and communities with stronger networks and better governance had higher survival rates and accelerated recoveries. Less-connected communities with fewer such ties faced harder recovery processes and lower survival rates. The rebuilding process has varied greatly, as some towns and cities have sought to work independently on rebuilding plans, ignoring recommendations from the national government, while others have followed the guidelines offered by Tokyo-based bureaucrats for economic development and rebuilding.