Wickramaarachchi, N. C. and Rashmi Lakshani, K. G. (2026) Factors influencing the refusal of postdisaster relocation: Insights from resettled individuals and professionals in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 17(2), pp. 221-238. ISSN 1759-5908
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to identify key factors influencing the refusal of postdisaster relocation in Sri Lanka's Western Province. It examines perspectives from resettled individuals' returnees to the original location and relevant experts. While postdisaster relocation is intended to enhance the well-being of victims, resistance to such programs persists the necessity for a deeper analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed approach was adopted in collecting and analyzing data from two samples. Quantitative analysis was conducted on survey data from 102 resettled residents, while qualitative content analysis was applied to semi-structured interviews with three public officials, to validate resident's perspectives. Five major rejection components, along with their associated sub variables, identified through literature review and field observations specific to Sri Lanka were considered as independent variables. Resettlement rejection was treated as the dependent variable. Findings – Results indicate that the social and economic components are the primary contributors to the rejection of resettlement, aligning with Clause No 08 of the UNCHS declaration. Environmental and cultural components play a secondary role while safety concern is insignificant. Key issues include dissatisfaction with high rise living, social network disruption, billing concerns, customer base loss, limited open space and cultural displacement. Originality/value – This study becomes significant in refreshing the literature on reasons affecting the rejection of relocations, reducing the empirical gap in Sri Lanka while addressing the methodological gaps using a mixed approach.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | perspectives; postdisaster; rejection reasons; resettlement; social networking |
| Index terms: | interview, literature review, social network, networking, content analysis, relocation, survey, program, methodology, well-being, quantitative analysis, high rise, dependent variable, independent variable, open space, Sri Lanka |
| Subjects: | market analysis, research methods, urban design, Geography, construction type, sociology, statistical analysis, software systems, communication, data analysis and analytics, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Geographical Context, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here