In regions like East and Southeast Asia, where urbanisation has skyrocketed, the interplay between human settlement and natural disaster vulnerability becomes particularly pronounced. Consider China, where over 60% of the population lives in urban areas, including major coastal cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou, or Japan, where coastal cities like Tokyo and Yokohama house millions. Not to mention the Philippines, with vast urban populations in areas like Metro Manila perilously close to the coast. 

Given this context, the work of a team of mainly Asia-based researchers led by Dr Terry van Gevelt from Singapore Management University takes on a profound significance. This team embarked on a mission to harness virtual reality technology to make the future impacts of these devastating storms feel immediate, personal, and undeniably real.

Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000112