Seismic Safety through Public Incentives: The Palo Alto Seismic Hazard Identification Program

Abstract

The City of Palo Alto, California, located in the mid-Peninsula area south of San Francisco, has taken a unique approach to the problem of retrofitting existing seismically vulnerable buildings. Specifically, Palo Alto has adopted a Seismic Hazard Identification Program which mandates the preparation and filing of seismic engineering reports and relies on the creation of incentives for voluntary retrofitting. The findings of this article are based upon an extensive set of personal interviews conducted in September, 1988, as well as an examination of city ordinances, staff reports, council minutes and other relevant documents. The article first describes the history of seismic policy in Palo Alto leading to the adoption of the seismic identification program. It then goes on to describe in detail the specifics of the Palo Alto program; its key provisions and requirements. Finally, an extensive discussion is provided of the factors which influenced the adoption of the program, and its final form and content.