Sustainable Development in Disaster Affected Rural Areas: The Case of Dinar Villages

Post-disaster reconstruction projects offer opportunities to facilitate physical, social and economic development and to reduce future hazard vulnerability long after the disasters. Sustainability of post-disaster reconstruction project conducted in the villages of Dinar following the 1995 earthquake was investigated in this paper. Officials of the Government who were involved in the project were interviewed. Besides, two field surveys were done in 12 villages of Dinar in winter months of 2008. Beneficiaries were interviewed and physical, socio-cultural and economic impacts of the reconstruction were examined. The research revealed that the postdisaster reconstruction project has negative aspects from the point view of sustainability. The physical, socio-cultural and economic factors were not considered during decision making process of the project.

Authors:



References:
[1] P. R. Berke, J. Kartez and D. Wenger, "Recovery after Disaster:
Achieving Sustainable Development, Mitigation and Equity" Disasters,
vol. 17, No 2, pp. 95-109, London, 1993.
[2] S. Barakat, "Housing Reconstruction After Conflict and Disaster";
Humanitarian Practice Network Paper, No. 43. 2003.
[3] Asian Disaster Reduction Center, (2008, 16 June) "Total Disaster Risk
Management -Good Practices-", available: http://www.adrc.or.jp
[4] V. Tosun, "Environmental Forces that Influence Form in Vernacular
Architecture A Case Study in the Eastern Black Sea Region",
unpublished master-s thesis, METU, Ankara, 1983.
[5] F. Ceylan, "Evaluation of Post-Earthquake Long Term Housing
Activities in the Rural Areas of Turkey- with a Case Study from Gediz",
unpublished master-s thesis, METU, Ankara, 1983.
[6] A. T. Onat, "An Investigation of Vernacular Architecture and a Proposal
for a New Neighborhood Unit in Gaziantep", unpublished master-s
thesis, METU, Ankara. 1992.
[7] E. Balta, "Earthquake and Social Change: The Case of Dinar",
unpublished master-s thesis, METU, Ankara. 1998.