Fostering Resilience in Karachi’s School Transportation System: Urging Interdisciplinary DRR Strategies through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

This research focuses on the pressing issue of absence of a safe school transportation in the context of disaster risk reduction in Pakistan and considers school transportation issue a man-made hazard that poses risks to education, health, urban environment and life. Despite the heightened susceptibility of students to transportation-related risks, there exists a notable gap in policies and regulations addressing this concern in developing countries. Utilizing a survey-based methodology guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study gathered responses from 900 parents of school-going children and university students. The findings unveil paradoxical behaviors, wherein individuals opt for risky transportation modes as per past studies despite being aware of associated hazards. The study underscores the immediate need for comprehensive national DRR policy-based framework, enhanced infrastructure, and financial interventions to bolster school transportation safety in Pakistan. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach and drawing insights from successful models in developed countries, this research contributes significantly to the field of disaster risk reduction. The identified solutions are poised to bridge the existing gap in literature and pave the way for resilient urban development in the face of man-made hazard