1. POST DISASTER
RECONSTRUCTION
AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
April 7, 2010 Acknowledgements: Hunnarshala, KNNA, Development Alternatives,
People in Centre, UNNATI

2. Challenges in Post Disaster Reconstruction
 Large shelter requirement in short period of time
 Absence of clear institutional mechanisms for
delivery
 Mobilization of large no. of trained artisans and
large quantity of construction materials
 Ensuring safety features in new houses

3. Often Opted Management Solution
Focus on delivery solutions which are in control
of Implementing Agencies
Contracting out the Reconstruction Work
Use of Industrial materials – Cement, Steel, CGI
sheets, Concrete blocks
Preference for relocation, non-use of old material,
recycle of rubble,
Single/ limited design options

4. Consequences
People are alienated
People’s resources (materials, skills, knowledge,
technologies) not used
Delivery of the product is finally not timely, not cost
effective, not environment friendly, not satisfactory
for the houseowners

5. Also there are efforts to use low energy,
low carbon technologies such as fly-ash
bricks, rat trap bonds, hollow concrete
blocks, etc.
Also there are efforts to set up material
production centres and train artisans in
these technologies.
Still there is a challenge of balancing
between techno-managerial solutions and
people driven solutions.
The experience repeatedly says that
sustainable, low energy solution is with the
People and not with the Agencies.

6. A network ’Owner Driven
Reconstruction
Collaborative’ is working
with NDMA to develop a
framework for post
disaster reconstruction.
Also working with
Government of Bihar to
enable people build their
own houses.

7.  People’s own housing solutions
(earth, bamboo, stone, clay
tiles) have the least energy/
carbon footprint.
 Addressing climate change in
Disaster Reconstruction is
primarily an issue of
perspective followed by
technology.
 If the ‘owner driven’ spirit is
missed out, the technological
choices made would be far
removed from the people.

8. Sustainable Solutions
Since People’s
technologies are more
environment friendly,
more input and
research need to be
put to make it
appropriate for the
present day context.

9. High Energy Technology
Upgradation of
1 
local skills
Use of local
2 
materials
Cultural
3 
affinity
Enviromentally
4 
sound
People’s
5 
contribution
6 Cost-effective ?
Solution to
7 
local problem
Participative &
8 
inclusive

10. Traditional
Technologies
Upgradation of
1 
local skills
Use of local
2 
materials
Cultural
3 
affinity
Enviromentally
4 
sound
People’s
5 
contribution
6 Cost-effective 
Solution to
7 
local problem
Participative &
8 
inclusive

11. Upgradation of
Appropriate 1
local skills

Technologies 2
Use of local

materials
Cultural
3 
affinity
Enviromentally
4 
sound
People’s
5 
contribution
6 Cost-effective 
Solution to
7 
local problems
Participative &
8 
inclusive