Discussion on Resilient Settlements for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) with DOHWA Engineering Co., Ltd., South Korea

 A discussion was held with DOHWA Engineering Co., Ltd., one of the leading companies in Korea for urban planning and development during the Director General of NBRO’s visit to Republic of Korea last week. DOHWA is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm that provides planning, feasibility studies, design, analysis, testing, supervision, commissioning, evaluation/assessment, consulting and training services in all areas of engineering such as the water supply and wastewater treatment, water resources management, urban planning, road traffic, structures, harbor and ports, rail, environmental engineering, etc.

Main objective of the discussion was to share the experience of DOHWA with NBRO in settlements planning and designing with special reference to hilly areas. Special focus was given to discuss, resettlement of landslide vulnerable people in Sri Lanka and to emphasize the need for a "Village Township Development" concept considering housing; agriculture and food processing, developing production and supply chain; promoting any other small and medium scale production opportunities; housing opportunities for any other risk families to migrate in to safer areas. Village Township Development concept emphasizes on implementing disaster risk reduction measures considering a whole village as one instead in separate locations.

It was further discussed to develop a concept proposal as a collaboration of NBRO and DOHWA Engineering to implement this concept for a pilot area in Sri Lanka and to make necessary arrangements for the implementation. 

The discussion was facilitated by Mr. Chinthaka Rathnasiri a scientist in NBRO who is currently following his postgraduate studies in University of Seoul supported by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre arranged the study tour of  the Director General of NBRO.

From Left to Right: Park No Jun, Urban Planner; Chinthaka Rathnasiri,Scientist, NBRO; Lee Giwon, Director, Overseas Business Division; Eng. (Dr.) Asiri Karunawardena, DG, NBRO; Lim Dongwon, Director, Dept. of Overseas Urban Development; Cho Eugene, General Manager, Overseas Business Division