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(Re)adaptation of urban space in post-disaster recovery

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Abstract

Buildings and monuments are commonly prioritized in post-disaster reconstruction, but the role of urban spaces is often overlooked. The paper, therefore, seeks to shift the focus from buildings to open spaces by examining how urban spaces interact with the built fabric and cultural practices to help to build resilience. Drawing on interviews with survivors and rescuers and field observations of earthquake-ravaged Durbar Square in Kathmandu, this research links specific features of urban spaces to specific community actions to understand how historic urban spaces have allowed local values to be expressed in the disaster’s aftermath creating a coping mechanism. It argues that historic urban spaces have inherent functional, performative, and restorative qualities that play an important role in post-disaster recovery, and more attention needs to be given to them in planning and urban studies. The paper reaffirms the value of urban design in a disaster and the argument that historic, incrementally “grown” cities feature more adaptive systems and are, thus, more flexible and resilient after a disaster.

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Source: Kathmandu Post (2016)

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. See http://seismonepal.gov.np/historical-events

  2. The pagoda temples with their characteristic multi-tiered roofs in either Dyochen or Tallakara style, display a masterful combination of great artistry and craftsmanship in red brick and wood that are considered responsive to disasters (Tiwari 2017).

  3. Kastamandapa is the oldest public building apparently built from the wood from the same tree. Lying at the crossroads of two ancient trans-Himalayan trade routes that connected China and Tibet to India, Kathmandu’s very name is derived from it.

  4. Nyasal Chowk, Mul Chowk and Dashain Ghar temple courtyard are private spaces for the royals. According to local stories Dashain Ghar is visited by the Royals once a year during Dashain times. (Tiwari, 2009).

  5. Rana Prime Ministers, who took over the power (but not the throne of the country) from the Shah Kings between 1846 and 1951, were highly influenced by European styles. Referring to the Basantpur chowk (one of the nine private palace courtyards), Hutt (2010) asserts that the chowk was originally built in Newari quadrant style with four temple structures in four corners. It saw some modification in the western corner, significantly altering the visual symmetry.

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  1. School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK

    Urmi Sengupta

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Sengupta, U. (Re)adaptation of urban space in post-disaster recovery. Urban Des Int 28, 152–167 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-023-00216-1

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