Sustainable post-earthquake reconstruction in Pakistan

This paper reports on a research-based initiative to improve the seismic resilience of the built environment in a remote and impoverished town in Pakistan. Gajjar in Balochistan province was at the epicentre of two major earthquakes in September 2013, which resulted in the loss of 500 lives and nearly 20 000 properties. The strategy for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the town was based on scientific principles of town planning and seismic-resistant construction. The authors gathered damage data and proposed redevelopment plans for the area to the local authorities. Design of seismically retrofitted houses was carried out for private housing and training sessions were conducted to educate local people in the methods of safe construction. The aim is to contribute to the improvement of disaster resilience of the society.