Can San Francisco Recover from the Next Big Quake? |
A significant earthquake could destroy more than a quarter of the building stock in San Francisco.
This level of damage would injure thousands, cripple the city’s economy, cause a housing crisis, devastate tourism, and irrevocably change the character and affordability of our city.
Some argue that the damage would reach a “tipping point,” causing recovery challenges that would persist for years.
With 8,600 to 100,000 housing units at risk, seniors, renters and people with disabilities will likely bear the brunt of the housing loss.
For more information about the city’s earthquake risk, click here. |
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A Community Plan for Earthquake Safety |
The purpose of the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPSS) project is to provide the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection a plan of action to reduce earthquake risks. This action plan will propose ways to prevent damage in existing buildings regulated by the Department of Building Inspection and to improve post-earthquake repair guidelines to expedite recovery.
The CAPSS plan is focused on:
• Minimizing Damage: The project will recommend city policies to reduce building damage in future earthquakes in order to preserve the unique character that makes San Francisco a great city.
• Rapid Rebuilding and Repair: The project will develop a clear and easy-to-follow repair policy so that city residents and businesses can get back on their feet rapidly following a major earthquake. |
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The CAPSS Project |
The CAPSS project was launched because city leaders are deeply concerned about reducing earthquake risk before the next major earthquake strikes.
As a community effort, the CAPSS project is guided by a volunteer Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from a number of neighborhood and community groups, earthquake specialists and the City of San Francisco.
Final CAPSS recommendations will be implemented by the Department of Building Inspection.
CAPSS Releases Policy Recommendations
In February 2009, CAPSS delivered to Mayor Gavin Newsom the report titled Here Today-Here Tomorrow: Earthquake Safety for Soft-Story Buildings. This report focuses on policy recommendations for multi-unit, wood frame soft-story buildings in San Francisco.
Click here for more information on the recommendations and to download the complete report.
For more information about the project, click here |
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