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Addressing housing needs of the displaced people promoting resilient and sustainable communities

Chathuranganee Jayakody (Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK)
Chamindi Ishara Malalgoda (Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK)
Dilanthi Amaratunga (Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK)
Richard Haigh (Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK)
Champika Liyanage (School of Engineering, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK)
Mo Hamza (Department of Building and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden)
Emlyn Witt (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia)
Nishara Fernando (Department of Sociology, University of Colombo Faculty of Arts, Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka)

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment

ISSN: 1759-5908

Article publication date: 30 March 2022

Issue publication date: 20 May 2022

300

Abstract

Purpose

Addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities is an essential part of a recovery programme that has distinct links to livelihoods, health, education, security and social and family stability. The housing factor acts as a social centre for family and friends, a source of pride and cultural identity and a resource that commands both political and economic importance. Therefore, addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities should be seen as a mode to promote resilience and sustainable communities. Instead, the consideration of housing needs merely as a physical need results in many issues to the communities, including no access to livelihood, poor living condition, health problems, lack of financial independence, lack of social satisfaction and social cohesion, and sometimes even recreates and worsens the existing vulnerabilities of displaced communities. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilience and sustainable communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research team of the project titled REbuildinG AfteR Displacement (REGARD) conducted 47 in-depth interviews in four partner countries (the UK, Sweden, Estonia and Sri Lanka) with officials, community representatives, social support networks, agency networks, etc. Apart from that, focus group discussions were conducted with the community members in Sri Lanka covering both conflict-induced and disaster-induced displacement.

Findings

The findings of this paper revealed that the housing factor has a significant role in rebuilding communities and determining the long-term satisfaction of displaced communities. Further, the results present eight essential factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilient and sustainable communities.

Practical implications

The findings are helpful for future planners, urban designers, architects and policymakers who work in the resettlement field. Planners, urban designers and architects can use these identified factors to cross-check their resettlement planning and designing strategies in addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities. Further, policymakers can mainstream these identified factors into the resettlement housing-related policies and regulations.

Originality/value

Addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities is an essential part of a recovery programme that has distinct links to livelihoods, health, education, security and social and family stability. The housing factor acts as a social centre for family and friends, a source of pride and cultural identity and a resource that commands both political and economic importance. Therefore, addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities should be seen as a mode to promote resilience and sustainable communities. Instead, the consideration of housing needs merely as a physical need results in many issues to the communities, including no access to livelihood, poor living condition, health problems, lack of financial independence, lack of social satisfaction and social cohesion, and sometimes even recreates and worsens the existing vulnerabilities of displaced communities. Within this context, this paper investigates the factors to consider when addressing the housing needs of the displaced communities, promoting resilience and sustainable communities.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, grant number 2018-1-UK01-KA203-048231. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect only the views of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Funding: Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union (2018-1-UK01-KA203-048231).

Citation

Jayakody, C., Malalgoda, C.I., Amaratunga, D., Haigh, R., Liyanage, C., Hamza, M., Witt, E. and Fernando, N. (2022), "Addressing housing needs of the displaced people promoting resilient and sustainable communities", International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 368-385. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-09-2021-0124

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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