1.1. Prof. Ram Satheesh Pasupuleti

Welcome to the course, Disaster Recovery and Build Back better. My name is Ram Sateesh, I am a faculty from department of architecture and planning, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Today, we are going to talk about architecture at risk, so today we are going to discuss about the theoretical component along with the implications, the practical implications with various variety of examples and how architecture as a domain it contemplates with the theory.

In this introduction, Professor Ram Satheesh Pasupuleti welcomes students to the course focused on disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts after disasters. He indicates that the course will cover both theoretical aspects and practical applications, highlighting that architecture plays a crucial role in these contexts, especially after disasters.

Think of a community after a natural disaster, like a tornado or earthquake. Just as people come together to lend a helping hand to their neighbors, this course will teach students how architects and planners come together to rebuild buildings and communities that have been affected.

Whenever a disaster happens, we encounter a huge loss not only to the lives of people but to their properties, to the civic buildings, to the religious buildings, to the cultural heritage of the communities.

Professor Pasupuleti emphasizes the extensive damage that occurs during disasters, which includes loss of life and destruction of properties. He underscores that civic, religious, and cultural buildings are also significantly affected, resulting in the loss of community heritage and identity.

Imagine the heart of a city—its public squares or religious centers. When a disaster strikes, it’s like pulling out the heart of that city. The community not only suffers immediate losses but also the emotional and cultural impacts of losing their connection to these essential landmarks.

For instance, in this photograph what you are seeing is the Durbar square in the Nepal, the recent Nepal earthquake. And many of the historic buildings which are under the UNESCO heritage have been demolished.

The professor presents a case study about the Durbar Square in Nepal, which was heavily damaged during a recent earthquake. This area hosted UNESCO heritage buildings, which are recognized for their historical and cultural significance. The mention of these buildings highlights the focus on not just modern architecture but also the preservation of historical structures.

Consider a treasured family heirloom, like a century-old vase. If something happens to it—like a fall or a disaster—it's not just the item that’s lost, but also the stories and memories attached. The Durbar Square represents a similar loss for the Nepalese community, where history and heritage are intertwined.

Now a lot of efforts have been taken up in the reconstruction of these historic buildings. This place is known as Bhaktapur which is listed under the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu.

Following the earthquake, there has been a significant effort to reconstruct historic buildings in Bhaktapur, another UNESCO world heritage site. This requires not just restoring the physical structures but also understanding their historical context and significance, which presents unique challenges for architects and planners.

Rebuilding a community after a disaster is like putting together a complex puzzle. Each piece has its place and must fit just right to restore the full picture. In Bhaktapur, this means carefully considering how each building connects to the community's past while also meeting present-day needs.

Similarly in 2003, Bam earthquake in Iran what you can see here is, before and after the earthquake. What you can see here is a huge demolitions happened you can see the rubble masonry.

Professor Pasupuleti draws a parallel with the Bam earthquake in Iran, illustrating the extensive destruction. He points out how it took over a decade to rebuild the area due to the challenges of understanding the original structures' historical significance and building materials needed for restoration.

Rebuilding after such a catastrophe is similar to restoring an old painting that has been torn or faded. It takes time to carefully analyze each aspect and restore it appropriately—rushing through can lead to losing the essence of the original work.

So there was obviously a need of reconstruction not only from the shelter point of it but also to rebuild the lost heritage.

The professor emphasizes that rebuilding after a disaster goes beyond just providing shelter. It's also about restoring cultural heritage and identity that are integral to the community's sense of self. This realization adds complexity to reconstruction efforts as they must balance modern needs with historical significance.

Imagine a favorite neighborhood park that’s been damaged. People aren’t just looking for a new place to play; they want that park to reflect the memories, community events, and history they’ve shared there. Reconstruction must honor and reflect that community identity.

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