Rehabilitation vs Restoration: Difference and Comparison

Both these terms, rehabilitation and restoration, are related to architecture. The old buildings and monuments are rehabilitated to make them strong again and again, keep standing their heads high with pride.

The restoration and rehabilitation of the ecosystem are similarly necessary to keep the ecosystem balance intact and repair the damages made by natural, human, and technological damages.

Key Takeaways

  1. Rehabilitation is the process of restoring something to its previous condition or function, while the restoration is the process of bringing something back to its original state.
  2. Rehabilitation can involve repairs or improvements to an existing structure or system, while restoration involves more extensive work to recreate something lost or damaged.
  3. Rehabilitation may result in changes or modifications to the original structure or system, while restoration aims to preserve the original design and features as much as possible.

Rehabilitation vs. Restoration

Rehabilitation means repairing the damages but not making it as entire a piece as it was at a particular time. But restoration means to make it intact as it was before. The differences between these are best understood by taking the ecosystem as an example.

Rehabilitation vs Restoration

Rehabilitation means repairing the damages caused by human exploitation, technological damages, etc., but this does not mean making it the same as before.

Restoration means repairing the damages and making the ecosystem as it was before. It also aims to return the species of plants and animals and other factors to the place.

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Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonRehabilitationRestoration
DefinitionThe process to repair without a target of making it as the original.The process to repair and make it as it was initially at a particular time.
For buildingsRepair the damages and make it solid and durable for long after use.To repair and make it as it was before.
For ecosystemTo fulfill the damage done and make it useable for any species to survive.To repair the damage and bring back the native species of that habitat.
Practically applicableThis is almost possible.It is tough to make it successful.
ExamplesNorth American eastern deciduous forest, Calcareous grasslands, etc.Dike 14, Beachwood city, etc.

What is Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation means repairing the damages caused by human exploitation, technological damages, etc., but this does not mean making it the same as before.

Rehabilitation is also applicable to buildings. The old buildings that are in damaged condition need to be repaired. So to restore the building, some factors should be changed.

These similar things are applied in the rehabilitation of a habitat. The damages in that area due to human interference, technological damage, mining, etc., are tried to be recovered by keeping the original habitat in mind.

The native plants, animals, and other species are again brought to that place to overcome the damage. But sometimes, it is impossible due to the permanent change in that area’s climate, soil, or water.

rehabilitation

What is Restoration?

Restoration means repairing the damages and making the ecosystem as it was before. It also aims to return the species of plants and animals and other factors to the place.

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The term restoring is also applicable to the buildings. The process of bringing the property or the critical feature of the building again after repairing the damages is called restoration of the building.

On the other hand, restoring habitat means repairing the habitat to keep the original form intact. The original record of a habitat consists of animals, birds, plants, and other species.

Sometimes the ecologists keep the habitat unused to repair on its own. But that’s a long process. So to restore habitat, the foremost thing is to check the climate, soil, and other factors.

restoration

Main Differences Between Rehabilitation and Restoration

  1. Rehabilitation of an ecosystem means repairing the damage without trying to make it as original as before. In contrast, restoration of an ecosystem means repairing and bringing back the original form of the ecosystem.
  2. Some rehabilitation plans are North American eastern deciduous forest, Calcareous grasslands, etc., and some restoration plans are Dike 14, Beachwood city, etc.
Difference Between Rehabilitation and Restoration
References
  1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=lkTc1iaU-qcC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=rehabilitation&ots=7HhReQiWRB&sig=b6VqUvXWOLgqydAIRYTb2TT4gJM
  2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=juWMJSlYChUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR13&dq=restoration&ots=ADEAlYD3bG&sig=6VgHkn-yL–EL7cetIQpOHVWuC4

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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27 thoughts on “Rehabilitation vs Restoration: Difference and Comparison”

  1. Interesting article, the differences between rehabilitation and restoration are subtle but crucial. The examples given help understand the topic.

    Reply
  2. The content is enlightening, the analogy between rehabilitation/restoration of buildings and ecosystems was particularly insightful.

    Reply

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