Planning for transitional settlement: assessment of psycho-social spatial aspects of Nepal earthquake

Abstract

Humanitarian needs of displaced people due to increasing number of disasters around the world have become a great concern of the international community. 30.6 million people were internally displaced in 2017 due to natural disasters. These events traumatise nations by unanticipated scale of destruction and result in painful reality. The process of recovery following a natural disaster is not a three-step process (Emergency Response, Temporary Shelter Provision and Reconstruction) but, includes a transitional approach of rebuilding. This incremental process is often not taken into consideration leaving millions of people homeless and displaced. During this period of ‘Transition’ from relief to reconstruction, people remain in temporary shelters and other host communities awaiting resettlement extending from months to years. Forced relocation of people from their community of origin effects the psychological well-being and social relations. The ‘Sense of Belonging’ to a particular place is influenced by interrelated systems of individual, immediate surroundings (place) and social, political, economic and cultural systems. Disasters are devastating events which result in loss of place and cause disorientation and alienation (Fullilove, 1996). Previous studies have documented emotional distress and psychological morbidity experienced by people due to disaster-induced displacement but inclusion of post-evacuation behaviour during recovery planning is yet to be initiated. Psychological impacts on evacuees is often ignored in calculating risk and vulnerability. There is a need to establish a process for normalisation of risk which should be expressed through practices that deal with emotional and psychological requirements of living. The psycho-social impacts of people due to a disaster/hazard should be considered as a compelling reason to rebuild or redesign communities. ‘Outsiders’ (Organisations attempting to support Disaster Risk Reduction) often hold different conceptions of risk in comparison to the priorities of the communities they are trying to help. Tensions, fractions and inequalities often appear to be overlooked, or at least not dealt with appropriately, iv by these organizations when programmes and projects are actually implemented (Krüger, et al., 2015). The restoration of normal activities and living conditions are planned without considering the perspective of people. Due to lack of involvement of communities in decision making process these rehabilitation projects fail to address the core issues faced by the disaster survivors. After the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami traditional coastal communities of Tamil Nadu (India), Sri Lanka and Aceh Province (Indonesia) were relocated to other host villages but the people returned back to their original villages due to hastily planned settlements. Governmental and non-governmental organizations often neglect the involvement of societies in the decision-making process which results in disruption of the process. Illustrating the perspectives and insights of disaster victims regarding the aftermath and recovery process will help us in addressing the issues related to settlement planning. This study explores the psycho-social impacts of disaster induced displacement and risk perception of communities in a post-disaster recovery process. ‘Transitional Settlement process’ from relief to rehabilitation or recovery will be taken into consideration for identifying issues related to settlement typologies and environmental concerns. The impacts of psychological morbidity can be best studied during ‘Transition’ which is an intermediary step connecting post-disaster emergency needs and permanent relocation. This study has been discussed in relation to the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 in Nepal which resulted in displacement of 285,000 people according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 2017 Report. Recently, IOM has reported that 11,845 people are still displaced due to the earthquake and still continue to live in temporary shelters. The three major cities of the valley, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur experienced heavy loss of property and lives during the earthquake. The case study of Bhaktapur was chosen for the research study to explain a case-specific scenario of the ongoing-reconstruction phase in Nepal. Located in the east of the current capital of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur was the historic capital of Nepal and Trade Route Between India and Tibet. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 collectively along with the other historic sites in the valley. v The Gorkha Earthquake resulted in destruction of the heritage structures and also the built environment in the surrounding neighborhoods. This historic city has been involved in the reconstruction process with the help of the municipality and the National Reconstruction Authority of Nepal. Displacement of people within the city after the earthquake and its consequences on the psychological and social well-being of the people has been studied in detail. The ongoing ‘Transition’ process within the municipal area was considered for assessing spatial planning strategies adopted by the local government in collaboration with the International Aid Organizations for recovery.