1.1. Build Back Better in Nepal Recovery

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, we are going to discuss about build back better in the case of Nepal recovery.

In this introduction, the speaker sets the stage for understanding how Nepal has approached disaster recovery by implementing the 'Build Back Better' concept. This approach is not merely about rebuilding what was lost due to disasters but rather about enhancing resilience and improving communities in the aftermath of such events.

Consider a small town that experiences a devastating flood. Instead of simply replacing old houses and infrastructure, the community decides to use this opportunity to build new homes with better drainage systems and larger communal spaces that can withstand future floods. This is akin to Build Back Better, as it focuses on improvement rather than mere restoration.

Whatever I am going to discuss with you today, it will be from the South Asian disaster report which was published in 2016 and these about the BBB the build back better and how different case studies are able to produce different lessons, what we can take back and how we can learn from it because every disaster experience provide us some lessons to take over for the future.

The information presented in this section is based on a 2016 report that examines various disaster recovery experiences across South Asia. Each case study offers unique lessons about the effectiveness of the Build Back Better approach, emphasizing that past disasters can guide future recovery efforts to be more effective and resilient.

Imagine reading a cookbook where chefs share their stories and tips based on failures and successes. Each recipe comes with insights on what to improve. Similarly, the South Asian disaster report serves as a cookbook for recovery strategies where each case teaches crucial lessons to enhance future disaster readiness.

So, if you look at it from 2007 to 2015, almost like how about 7 to 8 years, we can see a variety of disasters hitting the South Asian context...

The speaker mentions a timeline of disasters affecting South Asia from 2007 to 2015, indicating the region's vulnerability. By recognizing the commonalities in cultural and socio-economic contexts among countries in this region, the speaker prepares to discuss how these factors impact disaster recovery and the adoption of the Build Back Better framework.

Think of a group of friends living in the same neighborhood, each facing various challenges like financial issues or health problems. By sharing their experiences, they can understand common solutions and help each other. In the same way, South Asian countries can learn from shared experiences regarding disasters.

Initially this report discusses about the jargon on similarities and dissimilarities of a build back better, the notion of build back better...

This section introduces specific terms related to the Build Back Better approach, explaining the nuances between 'back to building better,' 'better building back,' and the comprehensive idea of 'build back better.' Each term highlights a different aspect of the recovery process, including the importance of urgency in rebuilding and the need to enhance social structures along with physical infrastructures.

Imagine preparing your home to withstand storms. The basic repairs are like 'back to building better.' However, prioritizing stronger materials and better designs reflect 'better building back.' Finally, adding community safety workshops signifies 'build back better' by fostering collective resilience.

But in a more complete sense incorporating other social dimensions of recovery, how we can build the capacities, how we can build trust...

This chunk emphasizes that the Build Back Better framework is not solely about physical infrastructure; it also involves addressing social, economic, and cultural elements to create a resilient recovery. This holistic perspective ensures that all community aspects are strengthened, leading to improved overall resilience against future disasters.

Consider a sports team. Winning games requires not only skilled players (infrastructure) but also great teamwork and communication (social dimensions). A holistic approach in sports, much like in recovery, aims to strengthen every aspect of the team for future success.

In Sendai Framework of action ... 16 prerequisites, which has been listed under the 6 themes.

The Sendai Framework gives a structured approach to disaster recovery, outlining key themes and prerequisites necessary for improving resilience. This organized framework helps nations develop actionable plans that incorporate accepted best practices for disaster recovery drawn from various prior events.

Think of organizing a community event. You need checklists for tasks like permits, materials, and staffing (prerequisites). Having a clear plan helps ensure the event runs smoothly, just as following the Sendai Framework helps nations coordinate better strategies for disaster recovery.

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