I would highly recommend all of John Robb’s recent writing, especially re:Resilient Communities

http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/

Recommended Reads—all short and concise

Survivalism vs. Resilient Community:
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/07/rc-journal-surv.html

Fabrication Networks:
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/09/resilient-com-1.html

Micropower:
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/10/resilient-commu.html

Community Geothermal:
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/10/community-geoth.html

Bifurcation and National “Splits”
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/10/rc-journal-bifu.html

“Duck and Cover”
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/09/resilient-com-2.html

It isn’t possible to build resilient communities through a reprise of 20th Century Civil Defense initiatives. That approach (depicted by this classic video, “Duck and Cover"), which relied on simplistic messaging, mass drills, and government sponsorship wouldn’t work in today’s environment . One reason is that, at least in developed countries, communities are generally too hollow (little primary loyalty is left) and fractious to even consider it. Another is that the economic strains on most communities are too severe to consider centrally mandated change, without first demonstrating the benefits. A better approach is to initiate an economic insurgency.

Also, here’s how they do home repairs in Lebanon: fortification contractors.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/30/built_for_war/