Obviously, where people settle and build homes of any kind has
everything to do with immediate needs and opportunities, i.e jobs.
Considerations of possible future dangers are far back in anyone's
mind, and will of course be downplayed by the real estate
developers/speculators.

Besides, most people don't know enough to realize what bad or good
construction is, and it's too easy for builders and real estate
developers to cheat. A well built home in a good, safe location is
beyond the reach of everyone but a small minority. And as was noted
above, even people with considerable means do it wrong too.