The term Build Back Better was firstly coined in Indonesia following the tsunami that struck Aceh and Nias in 2004. The disaster, which claimed approximately 230,000 lives, including 167,000 in Aceh and Nias alone.
In the aftermath, the term was used in a 2005 World Bank report, detailing the preliminary stocktake of the damage and destruction.
Since then, the "Build Back Better” term has gained prominence as a strategy for disaster recovery, used in many publications and reports on reducing vulnerabilities and inspired communities worldwide to prepare for future disasters and shocks, thus reducing civilian casualties and damages. It now encompasses physical, social, environmental and economic vulnerabilities and shocks.
Ten years after its first introduction, Build Back Better was described in the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015. It was subsequently adopted by the UN member states at the UN General Assembly on June 3, 2015, as one of four priorities in the Sendai Framework for disaster recovery, risk reduction and sustainable development.
CRIC Partner's Visit to Bandar Lampung
The theme of “Build Back Better” was also central to discussions during Climate Resilient and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) partner's visit to City of Bandar Lampung, between 26-28 August 2024.
On the first day, CRIC facilitated a climate working group coordination meeting at the Sheraton Lampung Hotel, attended by 22 representatives from local government working units.
The working group discussion was opened by Hizbullah Arief, CRIC Project Manager, who highlighted the importance for CRIC pilot cities including Bandar Lampung to finalise their Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Action Plans (CAPs) as the project enters its final year. The CAP report will detail the potential for adaptation and mitigation actions in every city.
Arief also informed working group members that CRIC will facilitate a panel of experts’ event in Bali with the theme "Towards Inclusive and Resilient Cities: Ecosystem and Waste Management for A Sustainable Future". This panel of experts will discuss nature-based solutions, solid waste management and bioregional governance, offering CRIC pilot cities the opportunity to learn from triangular cooperation between cities in South Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia.
CRIC partner, Prof. Youssef Diab then greeted all the working groups and conveyed his purpose to explore the current conditions in Bandar Lampung city, including those related to flooding.
Bandar Lampung is a city that has a tropical rainforest climate, characterised by heavy rainfall year-round. The city is prone to climate-related disasters, such a hydrometeorological events, like the current flooding disaster that happened on 12 April 2024. High-intensity rain flushed several areas in the city, with over 780 families were affected.
Meeting the City’s Mayor
The next day, on Tuesday, 27 August 2024, CRIC partner and team had a chance to meet Mayor of Bandar Lampung, Hj. Eva Dwiana S.E., M. Si or nicknamed Bunda Eva. During the meeting, Mayor Eva mentioned that City of Bandar Lampung has 4 emergency task forces comprising of teams from the Environmental Agency, City Administrator’s Police, Fire Department, and City’s Disaster Management Agency. They will become the first responders’ team every time an emergency hit the city. “The emergency response has been running well in the city since its first formed in 2023,” she said.
Mayor Eva mentioned the city’s pilot programme called “Grebek Sungai” or “Working Together for River” involving the City of Bandar Lampung also has a program called “Grebek Sungai or Working Together for River” which engages local leaders and communities. She also emphasised the need for cross-boundary coordination, as several rivers impacting the city are beyond its administrative authority.
At a meeting with all local government working units, Prof. Youssef delivered a presentation on urban resilience and the Early Warning System. He explained the importance of adaptation to climate-related disasters and environmental challenges, focusing on delving into urban resilience, especially early warning systems, the tool that the CRIC project is currently developing for pilot cities.
Citing the "Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems” report (2023), Prof. Youssef noted that urban resilience has always been a controversial concept. In this course, resilience deals with the capacity to change the trajectory of cities, aligning with the “Build Back Better” term. “Every disaster provides opportunities and lessons learned for any communities to build back better, including for City of Bandar Lampung,” he concluded.
Meeting with Local Universities and NGOs
Beyond technology-driven communications like the Internet of Things (IoT)-based early warning systems, no-tech and low-tech solutions also play a critical role in times of disasters. Examples of no-tech solutions include posters, murals, town criers and runners, while low-tech communications solutions may include flags, whistles and megaphones. These channels play an important part in reinforcing messages carried through other mediums, particularly within less affluent areas with communities having limited access to technology yet exposed to the biggest risks.
"No tech and low-tech solutions are also robust as they can function even if power and communication lines are down. They are also vital in communities where literacy rates are low or multiple languages are spoken," he said during a discussion with lecturers from the University of Bandar Lampung. “This knowledge empowers you to craft and oversee sophisticated hazard prediction mechanisms, turning foresight into a pivotal urban safeguard,” he said.
He also talked to staff members of the Institute Technology of Sumatera (ITERA) and local NGOs, such as Mitra Bentala, WALHI, and Yayasan Konservasi Way Seputih, and visited the coastal village of Gudang Agen Pesawahan. He observed first-hand people’s living conditions in the area. These visits opened new opportunities for future cooperation in research and development, providing valuable information needed to develop thematic tools to help cities adapt to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
According to Prof. Youssef, by assimilating innovative flood management techniques and progressive stormwater solutions, proficiency in disaster mitigation will expand. “As you navigate the interplay between governance and community action, your capability to drive impactful resilience initiatives will strengthen. Your journey will culminate in an enhanced capacity to foster sustainable, resilient urban ecosystems equipped for future exigencies,” he concluded.
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Written by: Hizbullah Arief - Project Manager of CRIC Project
