Adaptability of Low-Income Communities in Postdisaster Relocation

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings

Although community relocation is increasingly a policy option following disasters, research has shown that it often fails to achieve its goals. Few studies of community relocation following disasters, however, have taken a long-term interdisciplinary view of the realities of multiple actors involved in these processes. In this study I qualitatively tracked 6 years of the government-led relocation of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda–affected communities in Tacloban City (Philippines) and recommend dimensions of a planning-centered model of community relocation following disasters. A central finding was that residents’ life concerns transformed over time, from hazard risk reduction to life re-establishment and finally to adaptation. Most relocating residents, whatever their temporary location, continued to embed themselves in their pre-typhoon economic and social networks, which gradually changed over the 6 years. The status of new site development and residents’ livelihood outlook in the relocation sites were the key drivers influencing residents’ perception, which evolved as these conditions changed. Residents strategized to improve life and eventually adapted to the new environment.

Takeaway for practice

Five dimensions are important for policymakers and planners. First, as a premise, relocating residents change their minds over time. Simply moving residents away from hazard risks is not enough; their concern is also re-establishing their daily lives. Second, proactively strengthening and using residents’ capacity throughout the relocation process helps them better adapt to new environments. Third, applying some transitional strategy for the community to access socioeconomic networks will reduce relocation stress. Fourth, providing information and support helps residents view relocation positively. Last, planning needs to be an iterative, co-designing process to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

Keywords:

• community adaptation
• disaster-induced relocation
• long-term research
• low-income communities
• Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I received countless support in conducting this long-term research. Special thanks go out to the faculties and students of UP Tacloban College and Eastern Visayas State University and Tohoku University researchers, including Elizabeth Maly and Yasuhito Jibiki, who helped me interview relocating residents. Various government officials, including Ted Jopson and Mariya Lagman from the Tacloban City Housing & Community Development Office, chairmen of Tacloban barangays, and regional and national departments and agencies, including Renato Solidum Jr., Ramon Santiago, and Marieta Bañez Sumagaysay, helped me network with resource persons and understand recovery policies and programs. Tacloban residents were extremely resourceful. I am grateful for Beth Tamayose, Balakrishnan Balachandran, Dave Mammen, and Rob Olshansky, who shared multiple intellectual discussions with me for this article. SDRP Consulting Ltd. helped me with some figures. I also thank JAPA Editor Ann Forsyth and anonymous reviewers for their time, insights, and suggestions. I take full responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, and/or errors.

RESEARCH SUPPORT

This work was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, KAKENHI 20H02320, and builds on a prior study funded by KAKENHI 16H05752. Tohoku University’s Co-creating Center for Disaster Resilience partially funded this research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kanako Iuchi

KANAKO IUCHI ([email protected]) is an associate professor at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University (Japan).