Disaster Justice in Climate Resettlement: Is There a Potential for Equitable Processes and Outcomes?

Abstract

Planned resettlement has been widely acknowledged as a viable climate adaptation strategy for coastal cities. However, there is a lack of consideration of the concept of disaster justice in resettlement planning and implementation. This article addresses this gap by examining the prospects for disaster justice and considering the procedural, recognitional, and distributive justice issues in the Iloilo Flood Control Project, a climate resettlement project in San Isidro, Iloilo City. Using mixed methods, the study finds that resettled households reported significant differences in their experiences of disaster justice in resettlement processes and outcomes. The study then identifies three lessons to help ensure disaster justice in climate resettlement planning.

KEYWORDS: DISASTER JUSTICE • CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION • CAPABILITIES APPROACH • RESETTLEMENT • ILOILO CITY