The role of trees as a natural index in post-disaster reconstruction (Case Study: Palm groves of Bam, Following the 2003 Bam earthquake)

Background & objective: Trees, as an influential element, have an important role in post disaster reconstruction in four aspects; they can be used as "temporary settlement materials", "reviving collective memories", "creating calm” and “motivation for reconstruction". In addition, as "living memorials”, they remind the disaster and indicate the necessity of preparedness and resilience of society against future disasters. Method: This paper studies the consequences and effects of the Bam reconstruction program on the palm groves in this city and also their success and empowering rate in playing their role. For this purpose, interviews were done to collect data and then analyzed by the grounded theory, qualitative method; the importance of palm groves role in Bam reconstruction was discussed. To analyze the data, organized set of methods in open, axial and selective coding phase were used. Findings: The findings indicate that the urban reconstruction of Bam was mainly focused on the physical elements and, unfortunately, the palm groves as a part of natural identity elements were eliminated. Since the post disaster reconstruction is a comprehensive issue so it is necessary to revive the palm groves in Bam.   Conclusion: This paper indicates that the palm groves have been neglected in post-earthquake reconstruction. Reconstruction planners should identify the vegetation in the affected area and their damages through the design and implementation of programs such as public gardens, palm groves reviving and making local parks which may create opportunities for people’s contribution and motivations to urban reconstruction which leads to promote social resilience against future disasters.