Living Heritage Pathways towards community-driven post-disaster reconstruction

This networking event will explore the role of community-led post-disaster reconstruction in revitalising, preserving, and transforming urban 'living heritage.' We will examine how 'living heritage' can effectively facilitate community mobilisation and promote collaborative urban development in post-disaster settings.

The concept of 'living heritage' encompasses both tangible and intangible elements, including places, people, practices, knowledge, artefacts, events, and memories. It serves as a crucial link between post-disaster reconstruction and aspects such as livelihoods, social practices, planning, land rights, landscape restoration, local knowledge, craftsmanship, memory, and a sense of belonging. Every urban resident and stakeholder has valuable insights to contribute to the conversation around living heritage. Thus, we have chosen this theme as a common ground to explore innovative approaches and pathways towards community-led post-disaster reconstruction.

The event is co-organised by Architecture Sans Frontières UK (a member of Architecture Sans Frontières International), in partnership with Hatay Deprem Dayanışması (Earthquake Solidarity Hatay, HDD), the Asian Coalition of Housing Rights and its network of built environment professionals, Community Architects Network (ACHR/CAN) – represented by Lumanti Shelter Group (Nepal) and Hunnarshala Foundation (India). We are supported by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London. By bringing together these activist, research, and built environment organisations, we aim to catalyse dialogue among diverse stakeholders engaged in urban development, community-led planning, heritage preservation, and post-disaster recovery.

The event will feature an introduction to the theme of living heritage, followed by presentations from ASF-UK/HDD, Hunnarshala Foundation, and Lumanti Shelter Group, sharing their experiences advocating for community-driven reconstruction in Turkey, India, and Nepal. Respondents from IIED and DPU will provide insights that connect these experiences to broader discussions about the role of communities in rebuilding after disasters. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in facilitated discussions on the capacities and institutional frameworks necessary to enhance community-led post-disaster planning, identifying key challenges and opportunities for promoting these approaches in reconstruction settings.

This networking event offers a platform for attendees to engage with practitioners, professionals, community leaders, and government officials regarding their experiences in supporting and facilitating community-led post-disaster reconstruction.