Thesis Synopsis

POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION AT TALIYE, RAIGAD

Kunal Dilip Dangat | Fifth Year ‘A’ | Roll no- 25 |

| Dr. D. Y Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi, Pune |
Date- 28/12/2021
 1. STORY OF A VILLAGE

1.1 Abstract
Post Disaster reconstruction work may be executed with a paternalistic,
philanthropic approach as a project with an end in itself or with an approach,
which is based on communities and as a means towards sustainable longterm
development. The choice between these two depends on the intentions,
motivation, commitment, concepts, and perception of the outlook one visions for
the community. Reconstruction is the final and the most important step in
rehabilitation of the disaster affected areas as this has a huge impact on shaping
the livelihood of the community. This research examines the social, spatial and
technological aspects that go into permanent housing of disaster affected area and
hence propose interventions and designs that promote a sustainable development
of the community in the long term.

1.2 Background
On 22nd July, a landslide struck Taliye village as a result of continuous heavy
rainfall in the region from 23rd July. The rural village which is located 115 kilometers
south of Navi Mumbai and 15 kilometers from the nearest town Mahad, faced
tremendous loss. The worst hit was a settlement in the village namely
Kondhalkarwadi, which was entirely washed off due to the landslide, completely
destroying the infrastructure and farmlands. In this settlement, 85 people declared
dead or missing, all the livestock washed away and the entire settlement was
destroyed. Temporary houses were later provided for the survivors and what
remains now is the question and the process that will be undertakes for the
rehabilitation and reconstruction for the disaster affected cluster.

1.3 Introduction
After the disaster stuck the village, various state run agencies, NGOs and self-help
groups from the region rushed to the site for rescue operations and immediate
rehabilitation. In the process,26 temporary shelters have been provided by the
state government. Following the same, ministers and local administrative
authorities have handed over the responsibilities of reconstruction to Maharashtra
Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA, Raigad) who have started the

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preliminary work and finalized a site in the boundaries of the village for the
reconstruction. As the situation stands, 60 houses are to be constructed on an
emergency basis for the survivors of the catastrophe and additional 200 houses are
to be built as a part of precautionary measure for relocation of the neighboring
settlements of the Taliye village that are prone to landslides in the near future.

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 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007

The National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 is a very important
document when it comes to reconstruction and rehabilitation projects. The repost
very clearly outlines the appropriate measure to be taken when undertaking a
rehabilitation project, the pre-study required for the project, the governance
aspects, role of the community and government, etc.

This report is thus very important for this thesis as it lays the foundation of
policies to be followed and the measures to be undertaken during the process of
rehabilitation. Some of the key pointers that policy mentions and that form the
objectives of the same are as follows-

1. to minimize displacement and to promote, as far as possible, non-

displacing or least-displacing alternatives;
2. to ensure adequate rehabilitation package and expeditious
implementation of the rehabilitation process with the active
participation of the affected families
3. to provide a better standard of living, making concerted efforts for
providing sustainable income to the affected families;
4. to integrate rehabilitation concerns into the development planning
and implementation process; and

The above mentioned objectives of the Resettlement policy act as the initial torch
bearer ideas for the implementation of this thesis. The document also highlights
the list of crucial facilities and social infrastructure that are to be considered while
planning a relocated/reconstructed settlement and they are as follows-

1. Roads
2. Safe Drinking Water
3. Drainage
4. Sanitation
5. Public Transport Facilities
6. Social-forestry
7. Health Centre
8. Educational Provisions
9. Institutional buildings (if existing)
10. Place of Worship.

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This thus gives a brief idea of the infrastructure that is to be considered when
planning a new settlement and hence will be referred as guidelines in the following
thesis proposal.

2.2 Post-disaster shelter in India: A study of the long-term

outcomes of post-disaster shelter projects Conclusions &
recommendations- CARE India
This paper is published by CARE India, a not-for-profit NGO that works for
empowerment of communities through their social work. They are an institution
which has been working in the country for the past 70 years and work on providing
sustainable and holistic interventions in Health, Livelihood, Education and
Disaster Relief & Resilience, provide innovative solutions to deep-rooted
development problems.

CARE India has been responding to shelter needs of disaster affected people both
in the immediate aftermath of a disaster as well as during the early recovery phase.
The range of activities under shelter and rehabilitation support provided by CARE
India include provision of shelter, non-food items (NFIs), emergency shelter
(temporary), transitional shelter (semi-permanent), permanent shelter,
community shelter and repair and construction of public buildings. The following
report is an assessment of medium and long tern effects of rehabilitation programs
on the community undertaken by CARE, India. The rehabilitation works are
carried out on the principle of ‘Build Back Better’ and some of the objectives that
were studied in the report are as follows-

1. Program design
2. Technical design of projects & shelters
3. Habitability and relevance of projects & shelters
4. Significance and long term impact of projects
5. Comparison with other agencies’ projects
6. Accountability to affected people

The publication does not discuss the technical details of the projects like the
construction techniques used, materials, architectural drawings of the proposed
houses, etc. but focuses more on the sociological and communal impacts of these
projects in the long term.

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Following table 2.1.1 shows the list of projects that have been discussed in the
paper-

Table 2.1.1: Projects studied as a part of research for this study

Some of the key findings from the paper which are important for the thesis
proposal are as follows-

1. One, clear lesson from the findings it is that every shelter intervention
must be contextualized in order to adequately respond to the needs of
the disaster-affected people and the situation they find themselves in.
2. The needs of women, girls, men and boys, and the needs of different
households, can vary significantly. A one-size-fits-all shelter design has
limited flexibility to meet these varied needs.
3. The durability of shelter is a critical component of the longer-term
success of shelter recovery programs. Maintenance burden and costs, and
the economic capacity of beneficiaries, are key drivers for, or obstacles to,
good long term outcomes of shelter programs.

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 4. Projects generally reflect the priorities of donors, government and NGOs
and generally do not take sufficient account of the priorities of disaster
affected people.
5. Robustness of buildings or speed of delivery has generally been prioritized
over beneficiary choice and participation.
6. Relocations that happen against the wish of the affected people are very
unlikely to be successful.
7. Projects which reduce access to services, and in particular to education,
negatively affect girls in particular.

Some key considerations suggested in the report and that contribute to a

successful rehabilitation and will be helpful in the process of this thesis are noted
below-

1. Projects take place in close cooperation with and in line with the wishes
of the relocated people
2. The whole community is relocated instead of just providing for the victims
or relocating them.
3. The relocation site must have access to adequate water supply,
livelihoods, markets and services.

Recommendations suggested in the report-

1. There is a strong need to look beyond shelters just as shells or roofs to

accommodate individuals and consider the entire housing ecosystem,
community, livelihood spaces, social interaction, recreational spaces, green
areas that are generated by the needs of community and context.
2. Without water supply shelter projects and settlements will fail. It is critical
that shelter projects address water supply at a settlement and household
level. All shelter projects must ensure adequate safe water supply.
3. Significant emphasis needs to be put on educating the local communities,
involving them in all stages of the process, training masons and
construction workers. Effective communication fosters deeper impact
resulting in action.

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2..3 Successful recoveries of Malcondji village following the
1993 Latur earthquake in Maharashtra State, India.
Observations following an evaluation in 1996 and 2011

Following paper is a case study of village Malcondji, Latur post the reconstruction
efforts carried out by a Christian NGO called ‘The Evangelical Fellowship of India,
Commission of Relief’ (EFICOR). The report is published by Ian Davis in 2014
following a short term and a long term assessment of the project. Some of the
considerations that made the Malcondji village reconstruction a success is stated
in the following report.

The reconstruction of this village particularly was carried out based on the
ideologies of Ar. Laurie Baker who was known for his cost effective and people
centered architecture practice. This project was one of the few which was
completely under the supervision of the NGO and they were themselves the
decision making authority of the village’s reconstruction proposal.

This lead to a community driven reconstruction which was radically different from
the way most of the reconstruction projects were carried out during that time,
following a rigid grid and barrack-style layout pattern for the entire settlement.
This approach undertaken by the authorities included developing communal
spaces, ten different public buildings and extensive tree plantation for shade
and fruit.

The assessment in 1996 post the completion of the project and that is 2011
highlights some of the key pointers that fostered the recovery of Malcondji. The
outcomes were satisfactory with positive feedback on housing at it had good
involvement of the community in the design of the settlement and the dwellings.
Formation of a sensible cluster layout that enabled farming families to bring their
cattle into communal courtyards at night to provide protection against theft of

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animals. The team recognized the value of training masons to build safe, robust
houses. One key achievement of this project was the adaptation of the toilets that
were provided by the families. The credit to this change goes to the proper
planning of services layout, reducing the maintenance costs and thus promoting
clean hygiene.

2.4 Case Study of Rehabilitation at Malin, Pune

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3. Hypothesis:
The following thesis research and design proposal is aimed for the planning of this newly
planned cluster at Taliye village where the relocation is to be done. It thus is an attempt to
examine efforts involved in previously completed successful reconstruction projects,
design for the stakeholders breaking out of the paternalistic, philanthropic approach that
these kind of projects are looked up as and thus plan and introduce interventions that
cater to the long term sustainable growth of the community in itself.

4. Need of the topic:

The current proposal for the reconstruction of Taliye village is based on the approach and
manner in which the Malin and Latur rehabilitation projects were carried out by the state
government agencies. The literature studied and the case studies suggest a far better
outcome could be achieved in terms of communal planning. The current plan proposes a
single modular structure for the entire village of 260 houses irrespective of their needs
based on social structure or occupation. The approach might be good for speedy
reconstruction of the village but will have adverse effects on the community in the longer
haul and thus this thesis is a propository approach for the reconstruction for Taliye village.

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5.Aim:
To propose a reconstruction plan for post-disaster recovery of cluster.

6.Obejctives:
1. To study what is good rehabilitation and incorporate the necessary elements in the
design proposal.
2. To propose and promote the use of locally available materials and vernacular
elements in design.
3. Study and improvise the traditional construction techniques in order to cater to
demands of the community and increase disaster resilience.
4. To propose a design program that is centered towards the community upliftment
and sustainable development in the long term.

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