Successful Disaster Recovery in Displaced Communities Through a Transdisciplinary Approach: Case of Sumber Mujur Village in Lumajang, Indonesia

This study examines how the transdisciplinary approach (TDA) strengthens post-disaster recovery by integrating physical reconstruction with social and institutional rehabilitation. Using the case of the 2021 Mount Semeru eruption in Sumber Mujur Village, Lumajang, Indonesia, this study employs a qualitative phenomenological case study to analyze collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and displaced communities. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, and interpreted within the TDA framework encompassing co-design, co-production, co-delivery, and co-implementation of the recovery processes. Findings reveal that recovery success emerged through adaptive coordination and collective learning among multiple actors. Government institutions established spatial and policy frameworks; NGOs supported livelihood recovery and capacity-building programs; and residents, through community forums and associations, co-designed housing modifications, managed local governance, and revitalized cultural practices. These interlinked actions transformed relocation from a technocratic intervention into a socially embedded governance system that balanced technical safety with social cohesion, livelihood adaptation, and cultural continuity. The study concludes that TDA operationalizes resilience and adaptive governance theories by bridging disciplinary and institutional boundaries through collaborative learning and participatory engagement. The Sumber Mujur experience demonstrates that rebuilding after disaster is not solely a technical endeavor but a process of creating resilient communities through shared scientific knowledge, culture, and institutional synergy.