Applicability and scalability of a sustainable re-construction framework for seismic-prone heritage areas of Gujarat, India.

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In this follow-on, we will extend our findings and make them tangible and relevant to the community, local authorities and stakeholders, raising awareness and supporting earthquake preparedness using the methodology developed in the initial research project. We will study its applicability and scalability in Gujarat, India, by developing pilot activities and outputs for Bela, based on data already obtained, as a framework that can serve for implementation in similar cases beyond this project.Vernacular housing in heritage settlements is liable to deterioration, damage and destruction due to disasters and human-induced hazards. Inhabitants mainly build this non-monumental heritage as an affordable response to local climatic, environmental conditions based on traditional modes of living and building. If located in seismic areas, it is at greater risk due to the recurrent and destructive threat of earthquakes. But responses are usually activated afterwards, lacking mitigation strategies to diminish destruction.The most common post-earthquake approach is to build anew yet the most sustainable is to reuse, considering building's embedded energy and heritage significance. However, in mid and low-income heritage areas, documentation for a culturally-sensitive recovery and preparedness is usually absent, repairs are costly and slow, and large numbers of affected constructions hinder damage assessment. To tackle this, we exploit advanced documentation technologies aiming towards a new approach to re-construction: a culture of repair, reuse, adaptation and risk mitigation.In previous phases of this project, we combined 3D laser scanning, drone capture, photography and social surveys (interviews) to develop a sustainable re-construction methodology for seismic-prone heritage settlements of Kutch (Gujarat, India). It could improve the chances of a rapid and effective response in case of an earthquake, enhance the possibilities of reusing existing structures, and increase preparedness and resilience in local communities, by defining four strategic guidelines: 1 Immediate post-earthquake action: data obtained to inform damage assessment and planning at two different scales (village - individual buildings)2 Mid and long term study: evaluation of previous earthquake responses, risk assessment and mitigation (preparedness)3 Community engagement and participation: critical for local validation, support and knowledge incorporation. Communities' heritage valuation and conservation: bottom-up perspective to empower a local agency. 4 Applicability via institutional partnerships: overarching structure linking Academia, local NGOs and Governmental Institutions to support the methodology implementation with specific technical skills and local capacity-building. After the 2001 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.7 Mw scale an owner-driven approach, financially supported by the government and technically supported by local authorities and NGOs was implemented to repair buildings. However, the quality of the result was not always adequate for the specific type of construction, poorly or incompletely executed. These processes could be enhanced and scaled up to reach more families if the proposed methodology is implemented. Advances have been made concerning engagement with governmental institutions and reaching local authorities. However, the gap that needs further study and will be addressed in this project is regarding impact and applicability. Based on the methodology developed, we will create impact at three levels: 1) Institutional: via developing a disaster risk management plan and post-earthquake actions with local authorities; 2) Tangible: via developing and applying an example repair solution; 3) Academic: via technical support, publications and presentations. This will be done in collaboration with our project partners in India, in which each institution will play a specific leading role for each level.