Design for Resilience: Traditional Knowledge in Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment

Indigenous knowledge of mud architecture: experiences of surviving against multiple natural hazards

“…The growing support for Western and modern influences among mass population (Maxwell, 1996), put a stigma on vernacular practices, associating these with the “backward past”, under-development and poverty (Asquith, 2006; Oliver, 1997). Even though indigenous knowledge and traditional practices are proved to be potential for increasing capacity to cope and adapt with changes, these are losing their popularity due to the adoption of modern technology (Mitra, 2020). This lack of respect leads to diminishing of indigenous skills and traditional techniques, resulting poorly constructed and maintained vernacular structures which often exacerbate vulnerabilities of inhabitants (European Union, ISDR, Kyoto University and SEEDS, 2009).…”

“…2. Literature review: indigenous knowledge, vernacular architecture and hazard-resilient quality Indigenous knowledge as institutionalized local knowledge is eventually evolved within a community as understandings and realizations of previous generations' experiences, as well as their observations, based on individual's as well as a community's geophysical context in response to deal with various issues, most commonly to survive and maintain the lifestyle and livelihood options (Mitra, 2020;Chowdhooree, 2019;Walshe and Nunn, 2012;Osunade, 1994;Warren, 1992). It also works as the basis of mitigation and coping practices of communities to survive against natural hazards over centuries (Hasteh andCunningham, 2013 in Quilo et al, 2015;European Union, ISDR, Kyoto University and SEEDS, 2009).…”

“…Shaw et al (2008) argue to incorporate indigenous knowledge to empower local communities to reduce their disaster risks (Hiwasaki et al, 2014). According to Mitra (2020), communities of IJDRBE 13,4 disaster-prone locations spontaneously design resilient environments for withstanding against the ravages of natural hazards. Indigenous knowledge not only has the potential but also a track record proven by thousands of years of survival where self-reliant and sustainable communities thrive using their own capacities and resources (Quilo et al, 2015).…”

“…The growing support for Western and modern influences among mass population (Maxwell, 1996), put a stigma on vernacular practices, associating these with the "backward past", under-development and poverty (Asquith, 2006;Oliver, 1997). Even though indigenous knowledge and traditional practices are proved to be potential for increasing capacity to cope and adapt with changes, these are losing their popularity due to the adoption of modern technology (Mitra, 2020).…”