ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 351

International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy Session V - VI POST-CONFLICT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BAMIYAN CITY IN AFGHANISTAN Farah Al Amin1 & Hasim Altan1 1 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering & IT, British University in Dubai, UAE, [email protected] / [email protected] Abstract Post-war recovery and development is a great challenge that many countries faced throughout history. Involvement in armed-conflicts is the extreme opposite of sustainable development, since wars have a negative impact on the environment and eco-systems, natural resources, countries’ economies, infrastructure, human health, and the social fabric. This paper addresses the dual challenges of peace building and sustainable development in Bamiyan city in Afghanistan, and provides guidelines on how to approach environmental, economic and social development in the city. Qualitative research is utilized to carry out this investigation. Data obtained through intensive literature review is analyzed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current practices in Bamiyan and to propose new strategies based on post-conflict sustainable development strategies suggested by international organizations. The study shows that Bamiyan city has a great potential for development due to its rich culture, unique landscapes, world heritage sites and relatively advanced state in terms of peace and progression. Results of the study show that strategies covering all aspects of sustainability; environmental, social, and economic, should be applied simultaneously. Moreover, it is found that sequencing and prioritization of strategies is a key factor for successful post-conflict development to respond to both humanitarian and long-term development needs which might sometimes be contradictory. The study resulted in a comprehensive set of both generic and specific solutions and recommendations. Although the solutions are presented in different sets, they are in many cases intertwined due to the connectivity of the problems and the fact that the solution to one problem can lead to partially solving other problems, which have been presented in this paper. Keywords Sustainable Development, Post-conflict Reconstruction, Afghanistan, Bamiyan, Sustainability. 349