Natural Disasters and Built Environment: An Ethnography of Destruction Caused by the Earthquake (2005) in Balakot, Pakistan

Authors

  • Dr. Ghazala Rafi Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Islamia College, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Syed Sami Raza Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9293-2213

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59219/jheds.04.01.81

Keywords:

Earthquake, Built-Environment, Destruction, Balakot, Pakistan

Abstract

This article explores the vulnerability of the built environment of Balakot valley. The geological location of the valley at the junction of several fault lines and the two larger tectonic plates makes it vulnerable. When the earthquake of 2005 struck the valley, massive destruction was caused because the built environment had not evolved in comparison to the vulnerability faced by the valley. In this article, we employ an ethnographic method to study the built environment in the valley and shed light on the causes of destruction.

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Published

10-12-2024 — Updated on 30-06-2025

How to Cite

Rafi, G., & Raza, S. S. (2025). Natural Disasters and Built Environment: An Ethnography of Destruction Caused by the Earthquake (2005) in Balakot, Pakistan. Journal of Higher Education and Development Studies (JHEDS), 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.59219/jheds.04.01.81

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Articles