Urbanization in exposed areas increases the cost of disasters. For industrial risks, potential victims raise firms’ liabilities. For natural risks, overexposure by some undermines mutualization. Land use policy (particularly exclusion zones) and insurance shape urbanization, but their...

Natural and industrial disasters are major risks with the common specificity of a strong geographic dimension. Their main difference is that compensation for natural disasters relies on solidarity, whereas industrial risks imply the liability of the industrialist. This thesis brings parts of...

The French departments overseas are more exposed to natural risks than continental France. Nevertheless, they are less insured against natural disasters. In France, any housing insurance contract includes the coverage against natural disasters. In 2006, only 52% of households in departments...