RETHINKING RECONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING A NATURAL OR MAN-MADE CATASTROPHE: HOLISTIC APPROACH AND PARTICIPATORY PROCESS AS KEY STRATEGIES

In everyday language, “disaster” and “catastrophe” are terms often used interchangeably, even if there is an important distinction between the two, especially concerning their impact scale and the level of sustained support needed for recovery. Generally, a catastrophe is a specific type of disaster that is so large. It exceeds a community's ability to cope. According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy [2] , a house fire affecting a single family might be classified as an accident, while a fire that engulfs several city blocks would be termed a disaster. In contrast, a wildfire that devastates multiple communities, prompting mass evacuations and necessitating extensive reconstruction, is classified as a catastrophe. “Rebuilding” is always a complex, lengthy, and uncertain process. It involves various fields such as construction, engineering, and urban planning; it addresses a mix of social, anthropological, environmental, and psychological issues. This is even more dramatically true in contexts of man-made or natural events, such as wars, earthquakes, or floods. To approach this topic critically and thoughtfully, it is essential to define what a disaster or a catastrophe “ontologically” are, and what consequences, in the short and long terms, they imply. When distinguishing between the words "disaster" and "catastrophe," it is helpful to focus on the latter due to its more significant consequences. Additionally, the etymology of catastrophe” effectively highlights its impact on human systems about these events.