1. Disaster Recovery and Build Back Better

Welcome to the course, disaster recovery and build back better, my name is Ram Sateesh, I am an Assistant Professor in Department of Architecture and Planning, IIT Roorkee. Today, I am going to deliver a lecture which has actually been prepared by Dr. Subhajyoti Samaddar from Kyoto DPRI, Kyoto University. So, because of his non-availability, I am trying to learn from what he has worked.

The section begins with an introduction to the lecturer and the topic at hand, focusing on the crucial aspects of disaster recovery and making communities more resilient in the face of challenges. Bangladesh's historical context of independence from Pakistan in 1971 is also highlighted, indicating the struggles and development endeavors of the country since that time.

Consider the story of a person who has just moved to a new city after a significant life change, like a divorce or job loss. They face many challenges, including finding a place to live and reconnecting with their community. Just as this person learns from previous experiences and from friends, Bangladesh has been learning to recover and improve from its past disasters.

Bangladesh has a heritage laid in a very rich ecosystem of the Sundarbans, and this whole part is you have all these backwaters, and much of this area has been prone to the floods, and part of it is on to the coastal side and as well as the backwater areas.

Bangladesh is not just defined by its history but also by its unique ecosystems, particularly the Sundarbans, which play a significant role in its biodiversity and cultural identity. However, the geographical setting also makes the region susceptible to natural disasters like floods and cyclones, posing ongoing risks to the population and infrastructure.

Think of Bangladesh as a beautiful but fragile flower growing in a garden; while it has vibrant petals (its rich culture and ecological diversity), it is vulnerable to storms and heavy rain that can easily damage it. Proper care and planning are needed to protect it from environmental threats.

After becoming independent, a lot of development programs have been worked, and UNICEF has been working with the Bangladesh government sector in order to promote various vulnerable situations in the flood-prone areas and as well as the disaster affected areas, and one of the major concerns here is the water and the drinking water risks.

Following its independence, Bangladesh initiated significant development programs aimed at improving the lives of its citizens, particularly in regions that are vulnerable to flooding. Organizations like UNICEF collaborated with the government to address specific challenges, particularly related to safe drinking water, which has been a critical issue in flood-affected areas.

Imagine a local community facing a water shortage after a drought. Just as they may receive help from non-profit organizations to deliver clean water and establish sustainable solutions, Bangladesh has enlisted the support of international agencies to tackle its pressing water issues.

...But from 1980s, in the 1990’s, due to various other factors with the climate change or the industrial aspects of it, this is where they have faced with 2 important problems, one is the arsenic contamination which is evident from the groundwater resources and the water salinity.

In the later part of the 20th century, as environmental and industrial changes occurred, Bangladesh faced significant challenges from arsenic contamination of groundwater and increased salinity levels in drinking water sources, especially in coastal areas. These issues posed serious health risks to the population, requiring urgent attention and innovative solutions.

Imagine living in a town where the main water supply suddenly becomes contaminated, making it unsafe to drink. The townspeople would have to find new sources of clean water, just as Bangladesh is seeking solutions to its contaminated water crisis.

One innovation that came into the picture is Amamizu, which is a kind of innovation as a Japanese technology; it talks about rainwater harvesting.

To combat the pressing water issues, innovative solutions like the Amamizu technology were introduced. This Japanese technique focuses on harvesting rainwater by capturing it in tanks for later use, thereby providing a necessary alternative water source for communities affected by salinity and contamination.

Consider a household that installs a barrel to collect rainwater from its roof. This water can then be used for gardening or washing, enhancing the family's resilience during dry spells. Similarly, the Amamizu technology serves communities in Bangladesh by helping them gather and safely store water.

Now, if you look at the map... the challenge is how to diffuse this technology to a larger set up to a larger the whole nation.

While innovations like rainwater harvesting provide viable solutions, a significant challenge lies in effectively disseminating this technology across various communities in Bangladesh. It requires understanding local needs, cultural contexts, and developing effective channels for information transfer so that these technologies can reach those who need them most.

Think of introducing a new health program in a school: it’s not enough just to have a great idea; teachers, parents, and students must all be informed and trained for it to succeed. Like this, the success of water-harvesting technologies depends on effective communication and community engagement.

But first thing is one has to look at; it is a very risky decision whether to take it or not.

Adopting new technology often comes with risks, such as uncertainty about effectiveness or potential side effects. Communities may hesitate to implement innovations without clear information, making it crucial to assess risks and share insights from early users who have already tried the technology.

Consider someone trying a new cooking appliance. They may be nervous about how well it works until they see others using it successfully. This hesitation mirrors communities' cautious approach to adopting new technologies until they receive favorable feedback.

So, this is where the information seeking, we are able to seek some information and we are able to process it development or activity.

The process of adopting new technologies involves seeking information—understanding how they work, what risks are involved, and how others have experienced them. This collective knowledge shapes decision-making, leading to gradual acceptance and implementation.

When someone wants to purchase a gadget, they often check reviews and ask friends for opinions. This approach to gathering opinions and insights reflects how communities navigate the decision-making process for adopting new technologies.

The earlier innovators, we call them as innovators because these are the first people who started using it, they might have taken a high risk to take this as how this particular product is going to work.

In the adoption cycle, early adopters are those who embrace innovations first and often take on more risks without knowing the final outcomes. Their experiences can influence later users, who typically wait for others to demonstrate the technology's practicality and safety.

Think of a new smartphone release: the first buyers may be enthusiasts willing to try it out. Their reviews and experiences will sway future buyers who can learn from their insights before making a decision.

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