Local Building Cultures in Reconstruction

Abstract

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) reported 93% completion of private house reconstruction after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake, but this achievement largely ignored local building cultures and community needs. Uniform enforcement of building codes and “Build Back Better” guidelines led to standardized concrete “grant houses” that often failed to reflect climate adaptation, livelihoods, social organization, economic capacity, or cultural practices. Many households view these houses as temporary and are modifying them informally, often without technical support. With the end of NRA, ongoing reconstruction relies heavily on untrained masons and informal practices, increasing vulnerability. The 2023 Jajarkot earthquake exposed persistent construction flaws, limited code compliance, and weak dissemination of earthquake-resistant knowledge. Traditional stone-and-mud housing was mistakenly blamed for failures, accelerating inappropriate adoption of industrial materials. Poor land-use governance and unresolved land ownership further compounded risks. Drawing on a decade of experience, ASF Nepal highlights lessons from community-based, socio-technical reconstruction programs that integrate local knowledge, skills, and livelihoods to achieve safer, culturally rooted, and sustainable housing outcomes.