REGARD (REbuildinG AfteR Displacement), is co-funded by an EU Erasmus+ programme grant, will run for three years and is led by the University of Huddersfield’s Global Disaster Resilience Centre, based in the UK. They are joined by a consortium of five higher education institutions from four countries in Europe and Asia.

This three-year research initiative aims to develop competencies in rebuilding communities following a disaster and conflict induced mass displacements from the perspective of the built environment (BE).

In achieving this aim, the following objectives have been set out.

• To identify the needs of the communities following a disaster and conflict induced mass displacements in the perspective of built environment
• To investigate the role of the built environment in enhancing social cohesion between host and displaced communities
• To explore the knowledge, skills and competencies required by the built environment professionals to address the needs of the host and displaced communities
• To develop, test and implement an innovative series of training courses in catering the needs of the host and displaced communities
• To develop associated curricula and resources for teachers and learners
• To introduce new uses of ICT in education by formulating technology-enhanced learning environments and materials to facilitate teaching and learning
• To propose policy recommendations to BE professional bodies in upgrading the professional competencies to address the needs of the host and displaced communities

Accordingly, the project will address the needs of the host and displaced communities following a disaster and conflict induced mass displacements and facilitate successful resettlement. In enabling this, project will address the knowledge gaps of BE professionals and help to improve their competencies. The project also informs policy recommendations to BE professional bodies in upgrading the professional competencies to address the needs of the host and displaced communities. In doing so, the project seeks to develop a number of outputs, organise a number of multiplier events and training activities in rebuilding communities following a disaster and conflict induced mass displacements.

An overview of the REGARD project process and the outputs is provided in the following figure:

For further information on the REGARD project, please contact Dr. Chamindi Malalgoda ([email protected]), Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga
(d.amara[email protected]) and Professor Richard Haigh ([email protected])