The Assessment of Post-Earthquake Relocation of Rural Settlements (Case Study: Estalkhkooh village after 1990 earthquake of Guilan - Zanjan)

Reconstruction programs have two approaches: In-situ reconstructions and Relocation. Different experiences around the world show little acceptance of relocation programs by people which new sites were left or did not return to their pre-boom. Meanwhile، Estalkhkooh village relocation program shows vice versa. Villagers not only accept their new relocated village but also are trying to improve it. The purpose of this article is evaluating the Estalkhooh reconstruction after twenty years in order to discover the reasons of acceptation of the relocation by residence and also to achieve outcomes and complications.

The article is based on qualitative research methods and has benefited from data collection tools such as observation، deep and semi-deep interviews and document review.

Based on results and outcomes of the research، this relocation program was successful in attraction of rural people''s participation as well as its rapid reconstruction process. It seems that simple access to old site of village، little distance from it، owning new lots in relocated village and etc. were the reasons of acceptance of this relocation. But this reconstruction had negatives effects for the village too. Research limitation: lack of information about reconstruction process، Poor road access to the village and the problems associated with low literacy and aging among the target population Practical implications: It seems that in reducing the risk of disasters by reconstruction، the region should be investigated further by headquarters of reconstruction in case of relocation. Original/value: The significance of the research in this regard is introducing the social، economic، physical and cultural factors that contribute to the residence acceptance in relocations after disasters.