Framework for Measuring Environmental Change
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Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
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Let's begin with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. This model suggests that people build their livelihoods on a variety of resources or assets. Can anyone tell me why access to these assets is crucial?
It's important because those assets can determine how well people can respond to economic or environmental changes!
Exactly! We categorize these assets as **human, social, financial, physical, and natural**. Can anyone think of an example of how these might interact in a disaster situation?
In a flood, social networks could help people find shelter, while financial assets could help them rebuild.
Great example! Remember this acronym: **H S F P N** for Human, Social, Financial, Physical, and Natural assets. This will help us as we analyze community resilience!
Cultural Factors in Development
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Next, let's explore how cultural factors influence development and recovery. Can anyone define what we mean by 'cultural capital'?
Is it about how the traditions and inherited knowledge of a community can affect their choices?
Exactly! Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital describes how inherited, objectified, and institutional capital shape our identity and choices. How do you think this plays into disaster recovery?
Communities might prioritize recovery methods that align with their cultural values, rather than just the most efficient strategies.
Absolutely correct! Cultural understanding can lead to more effective recovery strategies that resonate with affected communities.
Geographical Influence
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Now, let's discuss how geographical and ecological changes impact communities. Why is it important to study spatial character in pre and post-disaster scenarios?
Because recognizing these changes can help inform better rebuilding practices!
Exactly! We evaluate aspects like permeability, legibility, and vitality in urban design. Can anyone suggest how one might measure **vitality** in a community?
We could look at how many people use public spaces during different times of the day.
Great suggestion! To remember these concepts, think about the phrase **PLV**: **P**ermeability, **L**egibility, and **V**itality.
Importance of Cultural Integration
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Lastly, let's focus on the importance of integrating cultural dimensions into disaster response. Why might humanitarian responses overlook cultural aspects?
Maybe they're focused too heavily on immediate physical needs and lack awareness of cultural significance.
Exactly! This can lead to disenfranchising affected communities. How could we create a framework that incorporates both immediate and cultural needs?
We could conduct community consultations to ensure their values and needs are prioritized.
Perfect! Always remember the idea of listening: **L**isten, **I**nclude, **S**upport, and **T**ransform the response effectively.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section analyzes various frameworks that address environmental change and disaster recovery, focusing on how cultural dimensions and livelihood opportunities shape community responses. It highlights the sustainable livelihoods framework from 1997 and discusses the crucial role of culture in both vulnerability and development contexts.
Detailed
Framework for Measuring Environmental Change
This section provides a comprehensive examination of the frameworks developed to analyze and address environmental changes, particularly within the context of disaster recovery processes. The discussion begins with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, introduced in 1997, which centers on how individuals and groups access resources vital for their livelihoods. This model emphasizes the interaction between economic necessity and cultural factors, affecting the decisions communities make in response to environmental changes.
The text explores the work of key scholars like Tony Lloyd Jones, Carole Rakodi, Frederick Cuny, and others, examining how cultural contexts influence vulnerability and development in disaster situations. It references concepts such as Cultural Capital derived from Pierre Bourdieu, highlighting inherited, objectified, and institutional aspects of culture that shape community identities and responses to disaster recovery. Furthermore, it discusses Lim's model of cultural environments that encapsulates religion, economy, family structure, and other social factors that interact within specific ecological landscapes.
The approach to understanding this dynamic is elaborated through the lens of built environments, focusing on changes before and after disasters, influenced by both geographical factors and community identities. As cultures evolve, traditional practices are influenced by globalization and modernization, posing challenges for disaster recovery frameworks that often overlook cultural dimensions. Ultimately, this section argues for a more integrated understanding of cultural factors in humanitarian response and development strategies.
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Understanding Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
Chapter 1 of 5
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Chapter Content
There is also a sustainable livelihoods framework which talks about the asset framework where it is a different model in 1997. This framework explains how individuals or groups access resources, which are essentially assets, to organize their livelihoods and how their capacities enable them to act, engage, and change the world.
Detailed Explanation
The sustainable livelihoods framework developed in 1997 focuses on how people utilize resources to support their livelihoods. It emphasizes the importance of various assets, such as financial, physical, human, and social capital, that individuals or communities have access to. This framework indicates that by leveraging these assets, people can improve their living conditions and respond to challenges. Furthermore, it highlights how individuals’ capacities—ranging from skills to social connections—play a crucial role in facilitating change in their environments.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a town that relies heavily on fishing for its main source of income. Residents can access tools (physical assets), like boats and fishing nets (financial assets), trains fishers on sustainable practices (human capital), and has strong family ties and community networks (social capital). By combining these resources, the town can better handle challenges like environmental changes or market shifts, thereby maintaining and enhancing their livelihoods.
Cultural Factors in Livelihood Choices
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Chapter Content
However, it is not just for economic necessity that households or groups act. Cultural factors also play a significant role in how people manage their results and make their livelihood choices.
Detailed Explanation
While economic factors often drive decisions regarding livelihoods, cultural elements also influence how communities function. These cultural factors include traditions, beliefs, and social norms that shape individuals' and communities' choices. People may decide to engage in specific occupations or practices not solely based on economic advantages but also due to their historical context, values, and community identity.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a group of farmers who practice traditional farming methods passed down through generations. Even if modern techniques promise higher yields, they may choose to stick to their traditional methods because it aligns with their cultural identity, values, and connection to their ancestors. This illustrates how cultural influences can affect economic choices.
Role of Culture in Disaster Recovery
Chapter 3 of 5
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Chapter Content
My research question revolves around understanding the role of culture in the post-disaster recovery process and its relation to the vulnerability, specifically concerning the built environment of affected traditional settlements.
Detailed Explanation
In disaster recovery, recognizing cultural aspects is essential, as they greatly influence how communities respond to and recover from such events. The built environment—like houses, public spaces, and infrastructure—is intertwined with cultural elements, shaping how these communities recover. By examining cultural practices, beliefs, and social structures, one can gain insight into the vulnerabilities faced by these communities and develop more effective recovery strategies that respect their cultural context.
Examples & Analogies
After a natural disaster strikes a coastal village, residents prioritize rebuilding their homes in ways that respect traditional styles, instead of opting for modern designs. This decision stems from cultural identity and communal values tied to their heritage. Effective recovery strategies recognize these preferences and provide support that aligns with the community's cultural and social realities, ensuring that recovery efforts are not just efficient but also culturally sensitive.
Methodological Approach to Measuring Change
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Chapter Content
My methods have been drawn from two subject domains: one focusing on morphology, which examines how spatial character has changed before and after a disaster, and the other looking at cultural dimensions through methods in cultural anthropology.
Detailed Explanation
To analyze the impacts of disasters on communities, a dual approach is employed. First, by studying morphology, one can evaluate how the physical landscape and spatial layout of an area have evolved due to disasters. Second, incorporating cultural anthropology enables a deeper understanding of how cultural practices and beliefs affect recovery and adaptation. Together, these methods provide a comprehensive understanding of both physical changes and cultural dynamics in the context of environmental transformation.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a town that has been rebuilt after a flood. By studying its layout (morphology), urban planners can observe how new buildings were positioned relative to previous ones and identify patterns of change. Simultaneously, through cultural anthropology, researchers could explore how the community's recovery practices, such as rituals or communal gatherings, have shaped the new environment. This holistic view provides valuable insights into the town's transformation.
Understanding Built Environment Layers
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Chapter Content
We are not just looking at a settlement; we are also examining different layers of the built environment, such as topography, ecological systems, and public linkages.
Detailed Explanation
The analysis of built environments requires a multi-layered approach. Each layer—whether it’s the underlying geology, ecological systems (like water bodies), public spaces, or individual plots—interacts with the others and influences how communities develop over time. By understanding how these layers work together, researchers and planners can better assess vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement, especially in the wake of a disaster. This nuanced perspective allows for a more comprehensive vision of a community's needs and strengths.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a city built on hilly terrain next to a river. The hilly topography affects building designs and infrastructure, while the river's ecological environment defines how the community interacts with water resources. If a flood occurs, understanding how these layers contribute to the disaster's impact is crucial. Urban planners can then design better flood defenses that consider these logistical challenges, making the city's recovery more effective.
Key Concepts
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Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: A model for understanding how individuals access resources and their implications for resilience.
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Cultural Capital: Non-financial assets that contribute to an individual’s or community’s social mobility and identity.
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Geographical Influence: The impact of ecological and geographical factors on community structure and disaster recovery.
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Disaster Recovery: The processes and strategies implemented after disasters to restore communities.
Examples & Applications
In a flood response, community-led organizations prioritize rebuilding efforts that reflect local cultural values and practices.
A study indicated that communities with strong social networks utilize their connections to receive aid more effectively in disaster situations.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
To thrive in a flood or stormy weather, sustainable livelihoods must work together.
Stories
Imagine a small village relying on fishing, where each family passes down their knowledge and skills, creating a strong community culture that thrives even in disaster.
Memory Tools
Remember GSVC for Geographical, Social, Vitality, and Cultural factors in recovery.
Acronyms
Use **H S F P N** - Human, Social, Financial, Physical, and Natural for understanding livelihoods.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
A model that helps understand how individuals access resources for their livelihoods and how these resources affect their resilience.
- Cultural Capital
The non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means, including knowledge, skills, education, and any advantages a person has within a culture.
- Vitality
A measure of how active and lively a community is within its spatial environment, often assessed through the use of public spaces.
- Permeability
The ease with which people can move through and interact within urban spaces.
- Legibility
The clarity with which individuals can understand and navigate their surroundings in a built environment.
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