Micro Human Efforts in Disaster Rebuilding: Cultural and Contextual Lessons for Resilience

This book unlocks the transformative potential of Micro Human Efforts (MHE) in the domain of disaster resilience through an interwoven narrative of human resilience, grounded in insights from the influential special issue of the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters.

This work delves into the critical, often neglected, role of individual, intuitive initiatives in the wake of catastrophic events. By illuminating how these efforts can significantly reshape post-disaster recovery strategies, this book underscores the importance of local knowledge and community ingenuity. It posits that MHE has the capability to amplify grassroots movements into impactful agents of change. Readers will embark on a comprehensive exploration that redefines disaster management through a human-centred lens and highlights the essential contributions of individuals in fostering resilience.

The volume serves as an invaluable resource for academics, practitioners, and all stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable and adaptive responses in the face of climate-induced challenges.

Chamila (Don) Subasinghe’s interest in circumnavigating micro aspects of disasters focuses on building resilience within. A chartered architect by profession, his academic career began upon receiving a principal Fulbright scholarship to the USA in 2006 and his PhD in 2011, which he completed with Tau Sigma Delta honours awarded to academics with the highest scholastic standing in architecture and allied disciplines. An alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School’s executive training in Public Leadership, Don currently leads the degree apprenticeship programme at Grenfell Bains Institute of Architecture at University of Lancashire, UK. This is his third book on micro-related concepts among many publications, awards, and grants, including the UNESCO-KNUH chair grant. He is also a senior fellow of Higher Education Academy UK and a fellow of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.

Sanjoy Mazumdar’s emic up-close and micro-ecological research is in cultures and their planned and designed environments, including attempts to apprehend the efforts by disaster victims to rebuild life in post-disaster temporary housing. These and research on culture, religion, ecology, and sustainability have led to publications in 24 journals and many books. Academic training includes a B.Arch. (Hons.), (IITKharagpur), M.Arch.A.S., M.C.P., Ph.D. (MIT). He has been on the editorial boards of several journals and was awarded the Environmental Design Research Association’s Career Award (2006), JSPS Invitation Fellowship, elected Fellow of the Design Research Society, Chair of EDRA (1999-2000), and of Cultural Aspects of Design Network. He is a professor emeritus in the School of Social Ecology, Religious Studies, and Asian-American Studies at the University of California, Irvine.