නවතම පුවත්

 Research project on “Long-term performance of post-disaster housing re-construction projects” 

The project “Long-term sustainability of the post-disaster housing re-construction projects” is a collaboration between the Universities of Aston and Huddersfield, UK and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Sri Lanka. The project was funded by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The project seeks to investigate the long-term performance of post-disaster housing reconstruction projects and make recommendations for effective, sustainable housing re-construction following natural disasters.

Dissemination workshop of this research project was held on 29^th August 2017 at Movenpick Hotel, Colombo and was attended by over 50 invited delegates representing various government departments, private organizations, not-for-profit organizations and higher education institutes involved in post-disaster re-construction work in Sri Lanka. Chief Guest of the event was Mr. S. S. Miyanawala, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management. Dr. Asiri Karunawardena, Director General of NBRO delivered the welcome address.

Mr. Miyanawala, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management appreciated the research initiative and highlighted the timeliness and policy/practice relevance of the research in the Sri Lankan context. Following the secretary’s speech, Prof. Bingunath Ingirige, Global Disaster Resilience Centre (GDRC) University of Huddersfield presented on ‘Context of ‘long-term performance’ in post-disaster projects’ and reiterated the need to adopt long-term approach to provide sustainable permanent housing provisions.

Mr. Anurudda Vijekumara, Scientist, NBRO followed with a presentation on ‘NBRO’s experience on landslide induced resettlement’. Methodology adopted in implementing the reconstruction of landslide victims / vulnerable communities and the challenges encountered, lessons learned & way forward was highlighted by him.‘Stakeholder view of Post-disaster Resettlement’ was presented by Mr. N. M. S. I. Arambepola, Technical Advisor, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. Importance of community consultation to address community vulnerability and the challenges of community consultation was reiterated by him. 

‘Longitudinal study on performance of post Tsunami housing’by Dr. Nishara Fernando, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Colombo followed. He underlined the impact of forced relocation on the livelihoods of residents and on the livelihood strategies, which shall be employed against stresses and risks emanating from forced relocation. Dr. Gayan Wedawatta disseminated the findings and lessons learned from the research study on “Long-term performance of post-disaster housing re-construction projects”. Satisfaction levels of the households in three post disaster housing reconstruction projects with respect to physical, social, economic indicators were revealed. It was also stressed that the priority of the government is to develop infrastructure and livelihood, and let the occupant to build the house by their own.  

Prof. Bingunath Ingirige chaired the wrap-up session via posing key questions to the presenters and the participants of the workshop. The need to introduce; policy on vulnerable lands previously occupied by the communities, land use planning to demarcate pre-identified lands for relocation of vulnerable communities, condominium housing as a solution for the resettlement of larger communities and developing attitudes of the communities to accept condominium housing were highlighted by the participants.