Bridging the GAP from Destruction to Rehabilitation for Balakot Town, Pakistan

The Earthquake of ۲۰۰۵ in Pakistan destroyed more than ۶۰۰,۰۰۰ houses in the area covering ۳۰,۰۰۰ square km, equal to the size of New Zealand. Most of the houses were located in the rural areas i.e. on the mountains or inside the deep mountainous valleys. However, the three major urban settlements in the area, the towns of Balakot, Muzafferabad and Bagh were badly affected. The ill-fated town of Balakot with estimated population of ۳۷,۰۰۰ was destroyed completely. ۵۰۰۰ people died and ۹۵% of the infrastructure facilities were demolished. Later, the national and international consortium of specialists confirmed that the town is located on two major fault lines, running parallel all along the town. It was also confirmed that the epicenter of the ۲۰۰۵ Earthquake in Pakistan was ۱۰ kmdeep beneath the town of Balakot. Interestingly, originating from central Asia region, the fault line enters Pakistan from the North West and pass through the towns of Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Bagh, then continues into Hindustan (India). To provide safe living environments for the affected towns, Urban Strategy was formulated by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority. Transitional Housing Project and City Improvement Plan also became parts of the Urban Strategy to provide a reasonable, reliable and decent residential solution. In this paper, the interventions and strategies prepared and implemented to rehabilitate and reconstruct the town of Balakot and its peripheral areas after the devastating earthquake of ۲۰۰۵ is highlighted.

Keywords:

Earthquake , Destruction , Epicenter , Fault Line , Urban Strategy , Balakot , Pakistan