TY - JOUR
T1 - Disaster risk reduction infrastructure requirements for South-Western Bangladesh
T2 - Perspectives of local communities
AU - Wedawatta, Gayan
AU - Kulatunga, Udayangani
AU - Amaratunga, Dilanthi
AU - Parvez, Ahmed
N1 - Accepted Dec 2015 HN 27/10/2017
PY - 2016/9/5
Y1 - 2016/9/5
N2 - Purpose: Development of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for communities at risk of being affected by natural disasters is considered essential, especially in the wake of devastating disaster events reported worldwide. As part of a wider research study investigating community perspectives on existing and potential strategies for enhancing resilience to natural disasters, community perspectives on infrastructure and structural protection requirements were investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: Patuakhali region in South-Western Bangladesh is a region significantly at risk of multiple natural hazards. In order to engage local communities and obtain their perspectives, focus group discussions were held with local community leaders and policy makers of at-risk communities in Patuakhali region, South-Western Bangladesh. Findings: Infrastructure and structural protection requirements highlighted included multi-purpose cyclone shelters, permanent embankments and improved transport infrastructure. Much of the discussions of focus group interviews were focused on cyclone shelters and embankments, suggesting their critical importance in reducing disaster risk and also dependence of coastal communities on those two measures. Originality/value: The research design adopted sought to answer the research questions raised and also to inform local policy makers on community perspectives. Local policy makers involved in DRR initiatives in the region were informed of community perspectives and requirements, thus contributing to community engagement in implementing DRR activities.
AB - Purpose: Development of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for communities at risk of being affected by natural disasters is considered essential, especially in the wake of devastating disaster events reported worldwide. As part of a wider research study investigating community perspectives on existing and potential strategies for enhancing resilience to natural disasters, community perspectives on infrastructure and structural protection requirements were investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: Patuakhali region in South-Western Bangladesh is a region significantly at risk of multiple natural hazards. In order to engage local communities and obtain their perspectives, focus group discussions were held with local community leaders and policy makers of at-risk communities in Patuakhali region, South-Western Bangladesh. Findings: Infrastructure and structural protection requirements highlighted included multi-purpose cyclone shelters, permanent embankments and improved transport infrastructure. Much of the discussions of focus group interviews were focused on cyclone shelters and embankments, suggesting their critical importance in reducing disaster risk and also dependence of coastal communities on those two measures. Originality/value: The research design adopted sought to answer the research questions raised and also to inform local policy makers on community perspectives. Local policy makers involved in DRR initiatives in the region were informed of community perspectives and requirements, thus contributing to community engagement in implementing DRR activities.
KW - Community development
KW - Community engagement
KW - Cyclones
KW - Disaster management
KW - Disaster planning
KW - Disaster risk reduction
KW - Flooding
KW - Floods
KW - Infrastructure
KW - Infrastructure management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84984804787&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/BEPAM-06-2015-0022
DO - 10.1108/BEPAM-06-2015-0022
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84984804787
VL - 6
SP - 379
EP - 390
JO - Built Environment Project and Asset Management
JF - Built Environment Project and Asset Management
SN - 2044-124X
IS - 4
ER -