Working with available resources to develop local knowledge to sustain development during crises

Enrique Villacis, Maria Lorena Rodriguez, Cynthia Ayarza

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This past April 2016 the coast of Ecuador suffered a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The automatic response was to run to the disaster area and help, not knowing that most of the time these unskilled volunteers became another casualty. Months later, government, universities etc. are working nonstop in order to responsibly restore the area. Nonetheless, are we being efficient in order to prevent the possible effects of disasters to come? Almost 70% of Latin America is built on informality, and almost 80% of the destroyed and demolished infrastructure was due the lack of technical support. As professionals and academics, are we acting where it is necessary? A crisis creates opportunities, and knowing that most of Ecuador is in constant danger because of probable natural disasters, acting local may be more effective and can have a long lasting effect, rather than focus all the resources and effort in the disaster areas. These two academic case studies, one which took place just a couple of days after the earthquake which required immediate attention and the other several months later which required a local analysis, value the endogenous work in order to build a consciousness about our reality as a stronger service than simply rebuilding.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationISEC 2017 - 9th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference
Subtitle of host publicationResilient Structures and Sustainable Construction
EditorsJose M. Adam, Eugenio Pellicer, Siamak Yazdani, Amarjit Singh, Victor Yepes
PublisherISEC Press
Volume4
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9780996043748
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Event9th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction, ISEC 2017 - Valencia, Spain
Duration: 24 Jul 201729 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameISEC 2017 - 9th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction

Conference

Conference9th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction, ISEC 2017
Country/TerritorySpain
CityValencia
Period24/07/1729/07/17

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2017 ISEC Press.

Keywords

  • Crisis management
  • Ecuador.
  • Endogenous
  • Habitat III
  • Informality
  • Resilience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Working with available resources to develop local knowledge to sustain development during crises'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this