COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY DURING THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY TO THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI, TALCAHUANO-CHILE

Abstract

The research aims to analyze how the coping capacities and community resilience are expressed in relation to the sense of community in thirteen families of the commune of Talcahuano in Chile, specifically during the period of response and recovery to the earthquake and tsunami disaster occurred in 2010. We opted for a transversal and qualitative exploratory design under the logic of ex-post observation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and subsequent discourses examined using Structural Content Analysis and the Actantial Model of Structural Semantics. We conclude that community resilience in Talcahuano emerges in connection with the sense of community, expressed through the community’s commitment for well-being and into collective actions. These social arrangements can facilitate or limit the organizational adaptability of the community as well as the development of collaborative behaviors. Such adaptability and behavior are relevant to solve problems quicker and with a more efficient use of the territory’s resources.