In partnership with UNDP, People in Centre developed technical guidelines for earthquake-resilient reconstruction of traditional earthen houses built with adobe, cob, jack arches and domical vaults in earthquake-affected areas of western Afghanistan after the 2023 Herat Earthquake. The work focused on improving the seismic performance of traditional construction systems while retaining local knowledge, materials and building practices.
The guidelines guided an owner-driven reconstruction process that enabled communities to rebuild safer homes while retaining local building traditions. Training programmes were conducted for engineers, facilitators and field teams to support quality implementation and community engagement. The programme combined technical guidance with socio-technical facilitation, recognising that resilient reconstruction depends not only on engineering solutions but also on informed owner-builders, skilled artisans and local institutions. It supported the reconstruction of about 550 houses and the repair and retrofitting of 50 more in the villages of Chahak and Kushk.
