Examining the impact of resettlement typologies in post-disaster social integration: a framework of social and spatial isolation

Abstract

Following the 2013 Lushan earthquake, China implemented a series of relocation projects to rehabilitate displaced populations by resettling them in safer areas. While these programs enhanced their safety, they also triggered significant social and spatial restructuring challenges. One of the major consequences of resettlement is the disruption of established social networks and community cohesion, which serve as the foundation for cooperative support, information sharing, and strong community bonds. This diminishes individual- and community-level adaptive capacities in responding to future disasters. This study categorizes rural resettlement into four distinct types: centralized, infill, adjacent, and enclave, each characterized by a unique spatial and demographic pattern between the original inhabitants and the relocated groups. Employing a dual metric system of social-spatial isolation indices, our comparative analysis reveals divergent integration outcomes: centralized resettlement achieves optimal social integration; the infill type exhibits superior spatial integration; and the enclave type shows the highest levels of both social and spatial isolation. The individual and environmental determinants analyses highlight the critical role of public spaces and community engagement in fostering disaster resilience. Building on these findings, we propose tailored strategies for each resettlement type aimed at enhancing social integration, disaster resilience, and overall well-being in rural communities.