Village plan for disaster mitigation (case study: reconstruction of Gampong Pande post-earthquake and tsunami disaster)

Gampong Pande on the north coast of Banda Aceh city which was destroyed after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami has been reconstructed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with a comprehensive approach. One of the important steps taken for future disaster mitigation is to develop a village plan. The village plan was prepared with the aim of rebuilding the village and its inhabitants with a “build back better” approach. The community participation approach is carried out while respecting local culture but trying to introduce ecological aspects as part of disaster mitigation as well as economic resources. Village plans are also prepared based on efforts to minimize changes the existing land ownership patterns to avoid social conflicts, so that massive and careful social and land ownership data collection is carried out. To increase safety efforts during the earthquake and tsunami disaster, proper access is made for all land and houses to the ideal evacuation route. In addition to rebuilding houses to standards that are in accordance with the building code, the village plan is also presenting the development of better environmental infrastructure and facilities as part of efforts to rebuild community livelihoods after the disaster. Environmental quality improvement is also carried out by utilizing local coastal plants for ecological disaster as well as for community economic improvement.