3. Concepts of Build Back Better

Number one, back to building better; it refers to the baseline conditions that is a regular building practice with or without a disaster. For instance, if we don’t have a building practice that focuses on the DRR or the qualities of resilience, we can scarcely hope to turn the practice around overnight after a disaster, so this is the first concept.

This concept emphasizes that restoring construction practices to normal standards after a disaster means returning to the baseline that existed before. If there wasn't a culture of disaster risk reduction (DRR) before a disaster, it's unrealistic to expect that practices will change immediately in a post-disaster context. The implication is that preparation and resilience must be integrated into building practices over time, rather than relying on a sudden shift after a crisis.

Imagine a school that teaches students fire drills regularly. If a fire occurs and they haven't practiced, they will struggle to respond effectively. Similarly, if a community hasn't planned for disasters with resilience in mind, they cannot expect effective recovery after a disaster strikes.

Whereas, better building back; so this talks about a sense of urgency to build back. So, this is in the event of a disaster. Imagine, if we on the pretext of build back better, if we do it very slowly after a disaster, then on the pretext of build back better then, it will also compromise the community resilience because the slow process also will compromise the community resilience.

This concept highlights the urgency required when rebuilding after a disaster. Quick reconstruction is vital to maintain community resilience; if the rebuilding process is too slow, it can weaken the community’s ability to recover and adapt. The idea is that while 'building back better' suggests improvements, speed in the recovery process is crucial to ensure that communities do not suffer prolonged hardship.

Consider a garden after a storm. If you plant new flowers quickly, they may thrive and flourish. But if you wait too long, the ground may become inhospitable, and you may lose the chance to have a beautiful garden. Similarly, quicker recovery after a disaster can lead to better long-term resilience for a community.

The third concept which is talking about the build back better, which is one of the important subject of our whole course. It is not just in the physical sense, you know that we build infrastructure, we build housing, we build the schools, we build hospitals, this is not just only in the physical sense. But in a more complete sense incorporating other social dimensions of recovery, how we can build the capacities, how we can build trust, how we can develop the belief systems, you know, how we can develop cooperation, how we can develop the partnership, how we can enhance the social capital.

This chunk underscores that recovery after a disaster is not merely about physical rebuilding. It also requires the integration of social dimensions—like trust-building, cooperation, and the strengthening of community ties. Recovery efforts must enhance social capital to ensure that communities not only rebuild but also grow more resilient and cohesive, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and social recovery.

Think of a football team. Winning a match isn't just about having strong players; it's also about teamwork, trust, and communication. A good team works together cohesively, just as a community must strengthen its social fabric alongside physical rebuilding to thrive post-disaster.

So, it is not just only we build the housing and we are not only building the roads, we are not only building the infrastructure but we are also dealing with the capacities you know, of social, economic and then how this whole setup will also improve resilience. So, resilience to what, to cope up with the future shocks and stresses that have been imposed not only because of the disaster but with various other vulnerable aspects.

This section reinforces the idea that resilience encompasses more than just physical structures. It involves creating systems and capacities that allow communities to cope with future challenges—be they natural disasters or other socio-economic stresses. True resilience means being prepared not just to bounce back, but to thrive despite uncertainties and future vulnerabilities.

Imagine a tree. If it is strong and its roots are deep, it will withstand future storms better than a weak one. Just like trees need strong roots to handle wind, communities require economic stability, social cohesion, and strong local systems to handle future disasters effectively.

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