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Article
Publication date: 2 March 2022

Saeedeh Asadi, Ali Sharghi, Zoheir Mottaki and Bahram Salehsedghpour

The purpose of this study is to clarify changes in people-place interrelationship and hidden layers of survivors psychological challenges in the reconstructed housing environment…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to clarify changes in people-place interrelationship and hidden layers of survivors psychological challenges in the reconstructed housing environment, the 2003 Bam and 2017 Ezgeleh-Sarpol Zahab earthquakes occurred in Iran, because perception of earthquake risk in residential dwellings and traumatic experiences during and after its occurrence are among stressful events making communities face with various spectrum of emotional and cognitive consequences. Such events shape memory “traumascapes” and cause changes in mental schemas and as a result, altering decisions and behavioral responses in long-term familiar environments. Because, in the disaster-affected communities, psychological recovery will be greatly influenced by residential experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research was performed with a qualitative and multicase study design, and data were collected using deep and semistructured private interviews and discussions in focus groups with participation of 33 people by narrative technique.

Findings

According to findings, people are facing enduring cognitive disruptions regarding home concept and its location as a safe and secure paradigm. Findings showed that there are a considerable amount of behavioral responses and emotional consequences in the form of protective behaviors, severe sensitivity to environmental stimuli, fears, phobias in residential dwellings and disturbances in place attachments.

Originality/value

It is noteworthy that despite all time and place differences, the two studied communities had significant similarities in earthquake traumatic experiences and perceptions and also resulting conscious and subconscious responses.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2012

Gholamreza Sepehri, Naser Haj‐Akbari, Ehsan Sepehri and Motahareh Mohsen‐Beigi

Few reports considering drug use among earthquake survivors exist. The present study aims to examine the Bam earthquake's impact on prescribing patterns and drug use among…

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Abstract

Purpose

Few reports considering drug use among earthquake survivors exist. The present study aims to examine the Bam earthquake's impact on prescribing patterns and drug use among residents five years post‐disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 297,104 prescriptions, issued by general practitioners in Bam city in 2008, were investigated for drugs/prescriptions, drug name, drug category, using WHO appropriate general practice prescribing indicators.

Findings

Mean drugs per prescription was 3.1. Drugs affecting the central nervous system were the most frequently used among Bam residents, representing 25.1 per cent, followed by antimicrobials, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract drugs. Benzodiazepines were the most frequently used central nervous system drugs (15.8 per cent) followed by narcotic analgesics and tricyclic antidepressants. Penicillins (6.4 per cent) and cephalosporines (2.3 per cent) were the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs.

Originality/value

Results emphasize increased drug use for psychological disturbances and the need for strategies to improve mental health among disaster survivors.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2010

Ali Asghar Pourezzat, Mostafa Nejati and Abdolazim Mollaee

The purpose of this paper is to provide a system based on the data flow diagram (DFD), which can be used to help urban policy makers reduce the consequences of natural disasters.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a system based on the data flow diagram (DFD), which can be used to help urban policy makers reduce the consequences of natural disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the socio‐technical perspective of government information systems and management, and draws on the collection and analysis of several public reports, media papers, and expert opinions published in the aftermath of the earthquake in Bam, Iran in December 2003, as one of the most destructive urban disasters in Iran and worldwide.

Findings

Considering the rescue and disaster management activities after Bam earthquake, the paper examines and discusses how important a clear DFD‐based system for managing urban disasters is. Moreover, the DFD model is suggested as an expert system to better handle and manage operations and different organizations involved in the rescue process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper requires a practical pilot implementation of DFD‐based system.

Practical implications

The authors believe that the research outcomes and results can assist governments and public managers in preparing and developing a disaster management system in controlling the consequences of urban disasters such as earthquake.

Originality/value

This research reveals the importance and necessity of having a comprehensive and well‐planned system to be prepared for controlling and managing urban disasters and their consequences. Moreover, the results are based on the observations and interviews made in the city of Bam, right after the earthquake, so it provides an invaluable understanding about the specific conditions of the city after that deadly disaster.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 January 2021

Armita Farzadnia and Mahmood Fayazi

This study aims to yield significant insight into decentralized Disaster Governance (DG), explaining the passage from selecting actors and defining actions to determining outcomes…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to yield significant insight into decentralized Disaster Governance (DG), explaining the passage from selecting actors and defining actions to determining outcomes in a decentralized process.

Design/methodology/approach

We adopt the systems thinking approach to investigate the reconstruction program after the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran. In-depth interviews are our main source of data that are carefully triangulated with findings from the review of documents and our direct observations.

Findings

We detected many shortcomings in this program, among which incomplete decentralization is highly prominent. In the Bam recovery program, tasks were delegated to varied actors based on their capacities without considering potential conflicts of interests and their unbalanced authority to serve their benefits. Meanwhile, the impact of the country's unstable political climate on restricting or liberating actors' influence on the recovery program was overlooked. These split relationships between DG components finally obstructed decentralization by intensifying conflicts of interest, which eventually compromised recovery objectives.

Practical implications

The results reveal the importance of adopting mechanisms to ensure monitoring systems' and governments' neutrality and limit any political influence over the outcomes.

Originality/value

DG concept is relatively new in disaster literature and despite its advancement in the last two decades, many studies still contribute to the epistemology of DG and its assessment methodology. However, the relationship between DG's components remains still obscure. This study tries to bridge this gap and make the concept more practical.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Saeedeh Asadi, Ali Sharghi, Zoheir Mottaki and Bahram Salehsedghpour

Earthquake stressful events cause many consequences and need for survivors. Housing reconstruction is one of the most urgent needs; due to traumatic experiences, dialectical…

Abstract

Purpose

Earthquake stressful events cause many consequences and need for survivors. Housing reconstruction is one of the most urgent needs; due to traumatic experiences, dialectical changes in people–place relationships occur.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses the Poe method and Q methodology to identify the hidden dimensions of trauma-informed housing reconstruction. A questionnaire with 74 items on the Likert scale was developed based on indicative Poe. It was completed by the purposive sampling method by Bam households. The influential factors in housing reconstruction with a psychological recovery approach were extracted by q-factor analysis in communities with different traumatic experiences.

Findings

According to the findings, first, people who had experienced complete home destruction; severe physical injuries; loss of family members and relatives; and were trapped under the earthquake rubble have different place-based needs in housing reconstruction for coping with fears and environmental concerns, protective behaviors, safety perception and as result safety reassurance. Second, regardless of the traumatic experience and losses, reconstruction acceleration and economic-social dignity have a positive effect on the communities’ psychological recovery.

Originality/value

It is noteworthy that housing reconstruction with a psychological recovery approach has two basic aspects. Although some independent factors of traumatic experiences will be efficient in this approach, it was found that the type of earthquake traumatic experiences will also be effective in the survivors’ place-based needs and biases.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2010

Farzaneh Zolala

The aim of this study is to explore mortality data collection after a destructive earthquake in Bam, Iran.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore mortality data collection after a destructive earthquake in Bam, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study of mortality data collection using a qualitative approach. The study data were collected through interviews with people involved with data collection and processing in Iran, and an evaluation of routinely collected data.

Findings

The results indicated that there were many limitations affecting data collection after the earthquake. These limitations are rooted in basic problems within the existing data collection system and a lack of co‐ordination between the groups collecting data, including national and international aid groups that provided help after the earthquake.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a very large and destructive earthquake; the results may be different for other natural disasters such as floods.

Practical implications

The main target group of this study is the decision makers involved with the disaster relief issues at national and international levels. This issue of data collection is imperative for future disaster aid.

Originality/value

The study highlights the problems affecting routine collection of mortality data after a disaster, arising from the scant attention paid to proper documentation.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2012

Asal Kamani‐Fard, Mohd Hamdan Ahmad and Dilshan Remaz Ossen

The purpose of this paper is to study the efforts of the 2003 Bam earthquake survivors and their strategy for coping with home loss. Regarding the key role of the sense of place…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the efforts of the 2003 Bam earthquake survivors and their strategy for coping with home loss. Regarding the key role of the sense of place within the recovery process following the disaster, this paper considers the characteristics of lost settings located in a desert area while searching for the factors that made an impact on householders' perception of newly built houses.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of the field survey, a group of 186 households were selected by the probability sampling method. Accordingly, the random selection of residents was organized within the three defined zones of the city that had experienced different degrees of building damages. Data were collected using a face‐to‐face communication approach with the target group of owners of self‐built houses.

Findings

The findings indicate that households tend to arrange the new settings on the basis of their perceptions of home place as well as the experience of loss during the quake. It also confirms that owners' participation in housing reconstruction process within setting arrangement has a significant positive impact on their attitude toward newly built homes.

Originality/value

Due to the widespread incidence of natural disasters and in the light of the key role of home place in the existence of human beings and their recovery process, the opportunity for local participation in new housing is highlighted as a means to overcome the challenges faced.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 February 2010

Farokh Parsizadeh and Mohsen Ghafory‐Ashtiany

This paper seeks to provide a brief summary on the comprehensive earthquake education program for increasing the public awareness and preparedness for earthquake through an…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide a brief summary on the comprehensive earthquake education program for increasing the public awareness and preparedness for earthquake through an integrated educational program using all types of media, especially in the schools and amongst children.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper will provide an overview to the program on the disaster management education for the managers; general public; and especially children's earthquake safety education in schools. This priority could be better highlighted by looking at the wide coverage of schools as well as the young age structure of Iran.

Findings

There is still a is a long way to go to achieve a fully prepared and seismically safe community and for this stronger cooperation and participation of the whole of society are necessary for enhancing public safety.

Originality/value

Finally, the paper strongly believes that the Iran experience is successful, one that can be shared and from which one can learn.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Hesam Ketabdari, Amir Saedi Daryan, Nemat Hassani and Mohammad Safi

In this paper, the seismic behavior of the gusset plate moment connection (GPMC) exposed to the post-earthquake fire (PEF) is investigated.

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, the seismic behavior of the gusset plate moment connection (GPMC) exposed to the post-earthquake fire (PEF) is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, for the sake of verification, first, a numerical model is built using ABAQUS software and then exposed to earthquakes and high temperatures. Afterward, the effects of a series of parameters, such as gusset plate thickness, gap width, steel grade, vertical load value and presence of the stiffeners, are evaluated on the behavior of the connection in the PEF conditions.

Findings

Based on the results obtained from the parametric study, all parameters effectively played a role against the seismic loads, although, when exposed to fire, it was found that the vertical load value and presence of the stiffener revealed a great contribution and the other parameters could not significantly affect the connection performance. Finally, to develop the modeling and further study the performance of the connection, the 4 and 8-story frames are subjected to 11 accelerograms and 3 different fire scenarios. The findings demonstrate that high temperatures impose rotations on the structure, such that the story drifts were changed compared to the post-earthquake drift values.

Originality/value

The obtained results can be used by engineers to design the GPMC for the combined action of earthquake and fire.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2012

Mohamadjavad Mahdavinejad, Mohammadreza Bemanian, Ghazal Abolvardi and Seyed Mohammadmehdi Elhamian

Earthquakes are a serious threat to life; they claim many casualties and cause huge damage to people's properties. Seismic design provisions are added to building codes in…

Abstract

Purpose

Earthquakes are a serious threat to life; they claim many casualties and cause huge damage to people's properties. Seismic design provisions are added to building codes in response to the lessons learned from past earthquakes. However, despite all successes, many challenges are still faced and there are still deficiencies, especially in the field of architectural non‐structural components (ANSCs). In spite of their significance in the seismic performance of the building, ANSCs are mostly neglected from the viewpoint of seismic design. The purpose of this paper is to explain a proper state for the seismic consideration of ANSCs in the designing and construction process.

Design/methodology/approach

The key aim of this research is explaining a proper state for the seismic consideration of ANSCs in designing and construction process. For this purpose, first, their state is analyzed based on the conventional seismic design and construction process. Then, the insufficiencies of this approach are discussed through studying the consequences in the past earthquakes. Finally, based on the results obtained, the article tries to offer useful strategies to bring the potential threats of ANSCs to minimum.

Findings

It is found that ANSCs are considered only in a very small part of the design and construction process. In most cases, their executed details are allocated to a minor part of the design process or left to be chosen in the last stage of construction, as finishing details. As a result, despite all code provisions and practical guidelines, we still see many damages to and from ANSCs. The paper shows that the only way that the success of ANSCs' seismic restraints can be anticipated is by considering them in all stages of the design and construction process. To achieve this goal, collaboration is needed throughout all parts of the design and construction process, namely an interactive system design.

Originality/value

The paper, from the viewpoint of the design process, analyzes the seismic consideration of ANSCs, offering a new model for placing these components in a systematic design and construction process.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

1 – 10 of 165