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Evaluation of Structural Reconstruction Practices: Housing Reconstruction

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International Handbook of Disaster Research

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Abstract

Housing reconstruction occupies a pre-eminent position when it comes to prioritizing sectors needing attention in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. It should be highlighted, however, that housing reconstruction in isolation of long-term mitigation strategies can achieve limited success. It has to be linked with livelihood restoration, reinforcing market linkages, environmental protection, and catering to needs of diverse sections of society while having an effective grievance redressal system in place.

Case studies across the world have shown that owner-driven housing reconstruction is the most successful model. Owners have knowledge about the cultural construction of the place and their personal as well as community needs. This when combined with knowledge of hazard, exposure to disasters, and structural safety designs can lead to the best outcome.

The physical loss of housing eclipses various significant aspects of daily existences which are impacted negatively. Although housing reconstruction is accorded a higher pedestal in finance allocation, it has a low profile on the humanitarian agenda per se. A house safeguards health, privacy, dignity, and security of individuals. Thus, housing loss inevitably exacerbates vulnerability of the survivor.

Housing reconstruction faces many hurdles; it is strategically sandwiched between short-term relief work and long-term developmental agenda of the state. Post-disaster housing reconstruction may be limited by finance, strict time frames (up to 1.5 years), institutional capacities, and inaccuracies in damage assessment in addition to implementation failures. This paper explores various aspects of housing by taking particular case studies of four states of India: Gujarat, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Odisha.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

    Akanchha Singh

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  1. Akanchha Singh
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for the Study of Law and Governance, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Amita Singh

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  1. Rikuzentakata Agency Co. (RTA), Rikuzentakata, Japan

    Kiyoshi Murakami

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Singh, A. (2022). Evaluation of Structural Reconstruction Practices: Housing Reconstruction. In: Singh, A. (eds) International Handbook of Disaster Research. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8800-3_148-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8800-3_148-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-8800-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-8800-3

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