17 Adapting to Climate Change by Building Back Better in Disaster Recovery …
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already largely underpins the field of disaster risk reduction and recovery and is the
core product of using a “Build Back Better” (BBB) approach. BBB, which is the
fourth priority of action in the Sendai Framework (UNISDR 2015), is a strategy
used in pre-disaster planning and post-disaster recovery to improve a community’s
physical, social, environmental and economic conditions to create a more resilient
community in an effective and efficient way (Clinton 2006; Mannakkara et al. 2018;
Monday 2002).
This chapter explores the concept of Building Back Better as a model for looking at
climate change adaptation using the case study of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The next
section examines what BBB is, and uses Mannakkara and Wilkinson’s BBB Framework to understand how this concept can be useful to look at climate change adaptation and resilience-building. Then, the methodology used to obtain findings from the
case study is explained, followed by the results, showing how the BBB Framework
was used to identify climate adaptation best practices for coastal businesses in Rarotonga who regularly face climate change impacts. The chapter concludes iterating
that BBB can be used as an effective strategy to reduce risks and adapt to climate
change.
17.2 What is “Building Back Better”?
Building Back Better (BBB) is a concept that became popularised following the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster, which impacted 14 countries and caused
devastation in vulnerable coastal communities (Clinton 2006). The premise of BBB
was the recognition that post-disaster reconstruction and recovery can be used as an
opportunity to address pre-existing vulnerabilities and embed resilience into communities (Khasalamwa 2009; Twigg 2007). Although BBB was sometimes understood
to only relate to improving the structural resilience of the built environment, there
has been a strong sentiment that BBB can be advocated as a holistic approach with
the aim of improving a community’s physical, social, environmental and economic
conditions to successfully address all vulnerabilities and improve overall resilience
(James Lee Witt Associates 2005; Kennedy et al. 2008; Mannakkara and Wilkinson
2014). Authors such as Clinton (2006), Iglesias et al. (2009), DN and PA (2008),
and Rotimi et al. (2009) added that understanding recovery processes and stakeholders and factoring in features such as clear role allocation, effective partnerships,
transparent communication, equity, tailored solutions, participatory approaches and
supportive legislation are also necessary for building back better.
Mannakkara and Wilkinson’s “Build Back Better Framework” (Fig. 17.1) is a
useful tool that defines the scope of the BBB concept (Mannakkara 2014; Mannakkara
and Wilkinson 2014). The BBB Framework has been practically tested and aligned
with the Sendai Framework and can be used to pre-plan and implement post-disaster
recovery programmes in order to build back better (Mannakkara et al. 2018).
315
already largely underpins the field of disaster risk reduction and recovery and is the
core product of using a “Build Back Better” (BBB) approach. BBB, which is the
fourth priority of action in the Sendai Framework (UNISDR 2015), is a strategy
used in pre-disaster planning and post-disaster recovery to improve a community’s
physical, social, environmental and economic conditions to create a more resilient
community in an effective and efficient way (Clinton 2006; Mannakkara et al. 2018;
Monday 2002).
This chapter explores the concept of Building Back Better as a model for looking at
climate change adaptation using the case study of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The next
section examines what BBB is, and uses Mannakkara and Wilkinson’s BBB Framework to understand how this concept can be useful to look at climate change adaptation and resilience-building. Then, the methodology used to obtain findings from the
case study is explained, followed by the results, showing how the BBB Framework
was used to identify climate adaptation best practices for coastal businesses in Rarotonga who regularly face climate change impacts. The chapter concludes iterating
that BBB can be used as an effective strategy to reduce risks and adapt to climate
change.
17.2 What is “Building Back Better”?
Building Back Better (BBB) is a concept that became popularised following the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster, which impacted 14 countries and caused
devastation in vulnerable coastal communities (Clinton 2006). The premise of BBB
was the recognition that post-disaster reconstruction and recovery can be used as an
opportunity to address pre-existing vulnerabilities and embed resilience into communities (Khasalamwa 2009; Twigg 2007). Although BBB was sometimes understood
to only relate to improving the structural resilience of the built environment, there
has been a strong sentiment that BBB can be advocated as a holistic approach with
the aim of improving a community’s physical, social, environmental and economic
conditions to successfully address all vulnerabilities and improve overall resilience
(James Lee Witt Associates 2005; Kennedy et al. 2008; Mannakkara and Wilkinson
2014). Authors such as Clinton (2006), Iglesias et al. (2009), DN and PA (2008),
and Rotimi et al. (2009) added that understanding recovery processes and stakeholders and factoring in features such as clear role allocation, effective partnerships,
transparent communication, equity, tailored solutions, participatory approaches and
supportive legislation are also necessary for building back better.
Mannakkara and Wilkinson’s “Build Back Better Framework” (Fig. 17.1) is a
useful tool that defines the scope of the BBB concept (Mannakkara 2014; Mannakkara
and Wilkinson 2014). The BBB Framework has been practically tested and aligned
with the Sendai Framework and can be used to pre-plan and implement post-disaster
recovery programmes in order to build back better (Mannakkara et al. 2018).