Field Studies and Case Selection - 3 | 8. Cultural Dimensions and Vulnerability | Disaster Preparedness &Planning - Vol 5
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Understanding Livelihood Frameworks

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we'll introduce the sustainable livelihoods framework. This framework essentially describes how individuals and groups access various resources to manage their livelihoods effectively. Can anyone name a type of resource that might be essential?

Student 1
Student 1

Maybe financial resources?

Teacher
Teacher

Great! Financial resources are key, but there are other types as well. Think about social and environmental resources too. Remember, we can use the acronym ACRONYM (Assets, Capacities, Resources, Opportunities, Needs, Yearnings, Motivations) to help memorize these components.

Student 2
Student 2

What role does culture play in this framework?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent question! Culture shapes how communities perceive and utilize these resources. Cultural practices can determine how people respond to economic pressures. We'll dive deeper into that later.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, understanding how people access resources through the sustainable livelihoods framework is essential for effectively addressing vulnerability in disaster contexts.

Cultural Dimensions

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's discuss cultural dimensions. According to Bourdieu, there are different types of cultural capital in communities. Can anyone explain what cultural capital means?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it's about the knowledge and skills people inherit from their families.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! Cultural capital can include inherited knowledge, artistic expressions, and academic credentials. It influences how a community responds to disasters. How do you think these influences could affect recovery efforts?

Student 4
Student 4

Maybe communities would rely more on local knowledge if they have strong cultural capital?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Local knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping responses. Thus, incorporating cultural aspects into recovery processes can lead to more effective outcomes. To summarize, cultural dimensions significantly affect how communities respond to disasters.

Case Studies in Tamil Nadu

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let's discuss our case studies in Tamil Nadu. What factors did we consider when selecting these villages?

Student 1
Student 1

Geographical differences?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Geography greatly influences recovery processes. In the selected villages, we also considered cultural diversity and developmental influences. Can anyone name the three villages we focused on?

Student 2
Student 2

Lighthouse Kuppam, Tharangambadi, and Kovalam!

Teacher
Teacher

Great memory! Each village has unique characteristics; for instance, Lighthouse Kuppam is primarily a Dalit village, while Tharangambadi has a mix of communities, and Kovalam is predominantly Roman Catholic. Why is this diversity important?

Student 3
Student 3

It shows how different communities might approach recovery differently.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This diversity shapes the responses of local NGOs and government in recovery efforts. In summary, our case studies reveal how cultural and geographical factors together influence disaster recovery strategies.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the interplay between culture and vulnerability in disaster contexts, emphasizing the importance of case selection in field studies.

Standard

The section delves into the frameworks that influence people's livelihoods and responses to disasters, focusing on cultural, infrastructural, and developmental factors. It also outlines a diverse case study approach across different communities in Tamil Nadu, highlighting how cultural dimensions shape recovery processes.

Detailed

Field Studies and Case Selection

This section explores the critical factors impacting people's responses to natural hazards, particularly the frameworks that define their livelihood strategies and resilience mechanisms. One significant framework introduced is the sustainable livelihoods framework from 1997, which emphasizes how individuals and communities access assets that enable them to organize their livelihoods effectively. Key researchers like Tony Lloyd Jones and Carole Rakodi argue that infrastructure and development heavily influence how groups access these resources in their vulnerability context.

The discourse expands to include the cultural determinants that affect decision-making and livelihood choices, illustrating the complex interplay between economic necessities and cultural influences. Notably, the work of Frederick Cuny and other scholars has laid a foundation for examining disasters within the development framework, further enriching the discussion of cultural impacts on vulnerability and recovery through the built environment.

Using frameworks like Bourdieu's cultural capital and Lim's model of cultural environment, prominent themes are presented—these models encompass elements like religion, ecological landscapes, economic conditions, family structures, and gender roles. This anthropological lens offers insights into how communities give meaning to their spaces before and after disasters.

The section culminates in detailing the case study approach taken in Tamil Nadu, where the varied geographical and community settings inform recovery strategies. Three villages—Lighthouse Kuppam, Tharangambadi, and Kovalam—were selected to examine socio-cultural and developmental dynamics that shape post-disaster recovery, considering local governance and NGO involvement. This comprehensive qualitative synthesis seeks to illuminate how cultural dimensions impact recovery narratives.

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Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

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There is also sustainable livelihoods framework which talks about the asset framework where it is a different model in 1997, which they have developed how the individuals or a groups access the resources which are basically an assets to organize their livelihoods and how the capacities make them able to act engage and change the world.

Detailed Explanation

The sustainable livelihoods framework refers to a model that was developed to understand how individuals and groups can access resources (the 'assets') needed to support their livelihoods. This model, established in 1997, emphasizes how people can use their capacities to engage with these resources and influence their environment positively. It examines not just the economic aspects but also social and cultural factors that enable people to build sustainable lifestyles.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a community that relies on fishing for its livelihood. Using the sustainable livelihoods framework, we can see that it's not just about the fish in the sea (economic resources), but also about the boats they own (physical assets), the knowledge of fishing practices (human capital), and the community’s support systems (social capital) that help them thrive.

Cultural Influences on Livelihood Choices

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But here, the thing is it is not just for the economic necessity where households or groups act upon. But it is with the cultural factors which people manage the results and make their livelihood choices to act upon.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk suggests that economic necessity is not the only driver for how households make decisions about their livelihoods. Cultural factors also play a crucial role. People might choose certain livelihoods based on their traditions, social norms, and cultural practices. These elements significantly influence their lifestyle choices beyond mere economic needs.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a family that has been farming for generations. They may choose to continue farming not solely because it provides income but due to a strong cultural attachment to their land and heritage. Their cultural identity shapes the decision, highlighting that livelihoods are often about preserving traditions as much as making money.

Cultural Research Frameworks

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So, this is where I started reviewing a variety of literature starting from Bourdieu’s cultural capital. Kim Dovey’s work...to understand the role of culture, in the disaster development process.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, the speaker discusses how they explored various theories in cultural research, focusing on significant theorists like Bourdieu. They are particularly interested in how cultural factors influence disaster recovery and development processes. By reviewing literature, they aim to build a framework to analyze how culture interacts with disaster management.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a town recovering from a natural disaster. Researchers might study how the local community’s traditions (like festivals or communal gatherings) influence recovery efforts, showing how embracing cultural practices can strengthen community ties and facilitate better recovery outcomes.

The Role of Cultural Capital

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And similarly, I spoke about the Bourdieu’s theory which talks about the cultural capital which is the inherited capital, the objectified capital and the institutional capital inherited.

Detailed Explanation

Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital breaks down cultural assets into three forms: inherited (what you receive from family), objectified (physical objects such as art), and institutional (qualifications and credentials). These types of capital can significantly affect how individuals navigate their social environments, including their responses to disasters.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a student applying to college. Their family might have provided them with books and educational opportunities (inherited capital), the student may have awards or projects to showcase (objectified capital), and their grades and diplomas represent their institutional capital. Together, these can open doors to further education that shapes their future.

Examining Cultural Dimensions in Recovery

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mainly my argument lies on how the cultural dimensions of the local communities are not effectively and sufficiently addressed in the current post-disaster for humanitarian and development process.

Detailed Explanation

The speaker argues that in the context of post-disaster recovery, the cultural dimensions of affected communities are often overlooked. They assert that understanding and integrating these cultural aspects into recovery efforts is essential for effective support. Otherwise, development processes might not resonate with the community's identity or needs.

Examples & Analogies

During the recovery after a hurricane, if workers only provide material aid without considering the community’s unique traditions or needs, they may inadvertently weaken the local culture. For example, rebuilding local markets that reflect community aesthetics and practices could foster greater healing than simply providing financial aid.

Case Study Selection and Outcomes

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So, I travelled around Tamilnadu, I have taken a lot of statistical information of the damage statistics what districts have been affected, what are the villages...

Detailed Explanation

In this section, the speaker describes their approach to selecting case studies for their research. They traveled through Tamilnadu to gather statistical data on areas affected by disasters and chose specific villages for in-depth study. This selection process helps inform understanding of how different cultural and community contexts shape disaster recovery outcomes.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine if a researcher wanted to study the impact of technology on education. They wouldn't just choose random schools but would look for diverse settings, like urban and rural, to understand how different environments affect educational outcomes in varied contexts.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Sustainable Livelihoods: Framework guiding resource access for managing livelihoods.

  • Cultural Influences: How cultural background shapes responses to disasters.

  • Vulnerability Context: Combination of factors affecting disaster susceptibility.

  • Case Study Approach: In-depth examination of specific communities to understand diverse recovery processes.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • In Lighthouse Kuppam, recovery efforts involve the government, while Kovalam's efforts rely on church-led initiatives.

  • Tharangambadi showcases community efforts combining Hindu, Muslim, and Christian support in disaster recovery.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When disaster strikes, culture's the key, Resources and knowledge, let them be free!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once in a village, the river flooded, but the families banded together, pooling their skills from their rich cultural background to rebuild their homes. This tale shows the strength that culture brings to recovery.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember CPR for recovery: Community, Policy, and Resources.

🎯 Super Acronyms

CURES helps us recall

  • Culture
  • Understanding
  • Recovery
  • Environment
  • Support.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

    Definition:

    A framework detailing how individuals and communities access resources to manage their livelihoods.

  • Term: Cultural Capital

    Definition:

    The non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, such as education, intellect, style of speech, and dress.

  • Term: Disaster Recovery

    Definition:

    The process of rebuilding and restoring affected areas after a disaster.

  • Term: Vulnerability Context

    Definition:

    The interplay of external and internal factors that determine how susceptible individuals or communities are to risks, especially in the context of disasters.