Masonry, including concrete, is extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. Well engineered concrete structures can be safe but need extensive steel reinforcement. The steel may to be under tension in order to compress the concrete. A design by a qualified engineer is essential.
If you want to see what happens to adobe building in an earthquake, see this: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/100-year-old-adobe-buildin...
Japan has their styrofoam homes that answers earthquake damage prevention designs outside of pagoda architecture:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FxcIWmKlBiw
And the "Lift House" architecture makes a lot of sense in flood prone areas using simple bamboo techniques:
https://www.prosunarchitects.com/lifthouse
Its not too far of a stretch to see how these two technologies compliment each other.
New construction has a lot of innovation to enjoy :)
The walls are not made from wood.
> fires won't spread as easily
Search for "intumescent paint" or coatings.
Here's a video demo:
I was surpised to not see more homes on stilts on a visit to Texas this year, where my gps showed an altitude of -20ft in eastern Texas.