Kanwar, V S; Dutta, H; Dutt, I; Kumar, A; Prakasam, C and Kanwar, M (2022) Impact and awareness of COVID-19 on rural communities: An empirical study of India. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 12(3), pp. 486-502. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: To study the impact, awareness and preparedness of COVID-19, a "pandemic" that has aroused the attention of the entire world because of rapid infection rates; among the targeted rural communities as basis to analyze their self-sustainability level. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed methodology/approach combining critical literature review and questionnaire-based survey has been followed in two villages, covering a sample of 150 households located in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The parameters were selected to check awareness/preparedness regarding basic guidelines, immunity, requirements of essential facilities to deal with COVID-19 patients, the effect of lockdown on social and financial status, difficulties in education. Findings: The villages have the potential to transform into Smart Villages or Smart Communities with the adaption of self-sustainable processes. The self-reliance on agriculture and traditional lifestyle in targeted rural areas make them relatively safer as compared to the urban areas. The community's overall awareness about COVID-19 and its preparedness was found satisfactory, with some variations that require more innovative strategies with academic interventions. Research limitations/implications: Although the scope of the study was limited to two remote villages of Himachal Pradesh (India), the results could be generalized for in-depth understanding about other villages in the state to convert them into smart villages. Originality/value: It summarizes a systemic perspective based on selected parameters on how COVID-19 lockdown has affected different aspects of life in rural communities. Further, collaborative efforts and adoption of self-sustainability model can lead to the remarkable transformation of villages into smart villages.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | community development; COVID-19; facilities management; health and well being; rural infrastructure; smart villages; social inclusion |
| Index terms: | COVID-19, community development, sustainable process, strategy, health and wellbeing, literature review, survey, variation, urban area, methodology, questionnaire, facilities management, pandemic, transformation, lifestyle, empirical study, household, social inclusion, India, rural area |
| Subjects: | sociology, health risk and incident analysis, management, contractual condition, data analysis and analytics, mental health and wellbeing, business, data collection methods, demography, land use and regional development, communities and social development, urban form and morphology, research methods, health safety and environment, Geography |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Ethics, Stakeholder Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Contract Administration, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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