"Designing Resilience" presents case studies of extreme events and analyzes the ability of affected individuals, institutions, governments, and technological systems to cope with disaster. Individual case studies, including Hurricane Katrina in the United States, the London bombings, and French preparedness for the Avian flu, are analyzed to determine effective and ineffective strategies.

Louise K. Comfort is professor of public and urban affairs and director of the Center for Disaster Management at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.

Arjen Boin is associate professor of public administration and founding director of the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute at Louisiana State University.

Chris C. Demchak is associate professor of public administration and policy at the University of Arizona, Tucson.