Experiencing Disasters. Crisis and Housing Practices in The Emilian Earthquake

Abstract

The paper analyzes some reconstructing and housing practices elaborated and implemented by a part of the population involved in the earthquake that hit the north-eastern portion of the Po Valley-Emilia lowland (20-29 May 2012). Through an ethnographic research and starting from the analysis of the concepts of "crisis" and "disaster", will be investigated the connection between man and environment - in particular the relationship between individuals and the housing and the ways in which disaster-affected people think about and “make” after the earthquake. By considering the creative aspect of these forms, will be describe the strategies and alternative practices put in place by the subjects in order to reinterpret the strategies of post-disaster reconstruction management imposed by their socio-political system.