Post-disaster sheltering process after the 2019 floods, in Golestan province, Iran

Shariat Alavi, M; Fallahi, A; Mottaki, Z and Aslani, F (2022) Post-disaster sheltering process after the 2019 floods, in Golestan province, Iran. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 13(5), pp. 568-582. ISSN 1759-5916

Abstract

Purpose: As a flood-prone region in Iran, Golestan province has encountered various disasters in its history. The last one occurred in March 2019, affected Aq-Qala County and caused irreparable physical, economic, social and environmental problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the process of providing shelter in emergency, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases after the floods in the villages of Aq-Qala. Design/methodology/approach: A research method is a hybrid approach. The collection of data involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches in addition to reviewing the documented texts in resources to collect the required data using observations, field survey activities, questionnaires and in-depth interviews. From April 2019 to December 2019, nine separate visits have occurred to collect the needed information. Findings: This paper shows dissatisfaction with providing shelter and attempts to identify the factors which caused the challenges. The findings revealed issues such as hygienic problems in collective camps, lack of thermal resistance in temporary accommodations and rising material prices. These findings lead to a contributive list of suggestions avoiding the recurrence of the harms in the future. Originality/value: This study proposes solutions and approaches to improve the post-flood settlement process for possible floods in the future such as equipped camps, proper temporary housing, monitoring the reconstruction and the price of the materials. If these approaches are used by authorities and people in similar rural areas, the long-term effects of inadequate post-flood shelter can be reduced.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: emergency; flood; Golestan; reconstruction; shelter; temporary
Index terms: thermal resistance, history, temporary housing, methodology, questionnaire, survey, interview, rural area, monitoring, reconstruction
Subjects: land use and regional development, building construction, research methods, material properties and characteristics, specific urban areas and projects, architectural and construction history, data collection methods, control systems
Topics: Site Management, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Construction Materials
Descriptive scope: 5 PCTEA

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