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Golestan province in the northern part of Iran has been affected by devastating floods. There has been a significant change in the pattern of rainfall in Golestan province based on an analysis of the seven heaviest rainfall events in recent decades. Climate change appears to be a significant contributing factor to destructive floods. Thus, this paper aims to assess the susceptibility of this area to flash floods in case of heavy downpours.

This paper uses a variety of computational approaches. Following the collection of data, spatial analyses have been conducted and validated. The layers of information are then weighted, and a final risk map is created. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, geographic information system and frequency ratio have been used for data analysis. In the final step, a flood risk map is prepared and discussed.

Due to the complex interaction between thermal fluctuations and precipitation, the situation in the area is further complicated by climate change and the variations in its patterns and intensities. According to the study results, coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, the Gorganrood Basin and the southern regions of the province are predicted to experience flash floods in the future. The research criteria are generalizable and can be used for decision-making in areas exposed to flash flood risk.

The unique feature of this paper is that it evaluates flash flood risks and predicts flood-prone areas in the northern part of Iran. Furthermore, some interventions (e.g. remapping land use and urban zoning) are provided based on the socioeconomic characteristics of the region to reduce flood risk. Based on the generated risk map, a practical suggestion would be to install and operate an integrated rapid flood warning system in high-risk zones.

The purpose of this study is to present the possibilities of co-creation-type reconstruction methods by focusing on examples of reconstruction in communities affected by the 2011 disaster in Japan. This is because the reconstruction of a community is not a matter of supplementing what has been physically lost, but must include social and cultural aspects. We will also conduct research based on the idea that by placing the residents, who are the bearers of the community, in the lead role, we can achieve a recovery that promotes maturity, rather than a recovery that overwrites the community.

This research was initially conducted for the purpose of reconstruction assistance, but in the process, the author conducted research using information obtained through material surveys on local history and self-governing activities, interview surveys on pre-disaster life, and participatory observation of reconstruction activities. In order to extract knowledge on co-creative reconstruction methods, the author focused on the actual state of cooperation between residents, experts involved in reconstruction support, and the government, based on past research conducted by the author, and extracted what could be considered co-creation from this.

Co-creative reconstruction is defined as a state in which a shared vision for reconstruction is created by each organization involved in the reconstruction process, with the residents at the core, and collaboration is generated beyond the organizational framework in order to achieve the objectives. This case study can be divided into the following three stages: the stage where the local residents start the recovery process, the stage where a vision for recovery is drawn up based on the recovery project organized by the government, and the stage where collaboration beyond the organizational framework is created to achieve the recovery vision.

Compared to normal urban development, reconstruction projects in disaster-stricken areas are carried out simultaneously in a short period of time. Therefore, in order to capture the details of reconstruction, it is necessary to limit the target area and continue participant observation. However, the limited number of areas to be studied makes it difficult to conduct comparative verification. In addition, the unclear concept of “co-creation” requires the formation of common values through the verification of various case studies. Therefore, it is essential to form an environment in which various case studies can be collected and discussed.

Many of the research reports on earthquake recovery are extracts on specific themes. As a result, it is difficult to obtain an overall picture of how specific areas are recovering. As such, there are few examples that can serve as a reference when confronting reconstruction and an exploratory approach to the unclear future is required. Therefore, this study has practical findings in that it presents concrete sample information by clearly indicating issues and reconstruction systems on a long-term time horizon.

It is nonsense to impose a uniform recovery plan in the midst of a mature society with increasingly diverse values. It is necessary to explore the possibility of bottom-up reconstruction in which residents play a leading role as a way to realize individualized and diverse reconstruction. This study presents the possibility of promoting reconstruction while maintaining equal relationships among residents, experts, and the government.

First, the study captures the actual situation of the village before the earthquake and the actual situation of the village during the reconstruction process, using the village as the basic unit. Second, it captures the reconstruction process of the village over a 10-year time frame. According to a specific timeline, the activities, discussions, and institutional changes to promote reconstruction are positioned. Third, in the limited phase of earthquake reconstruction, the project is providing information and analysis from a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective by narrowing down the target areas and continuing high-resolution surveys.