Concluding Discussions and Propositions

Abstract

This chapter outlines the essence of this research as a coherent whole. It discusses the generalisability of the research, through the strategic choice of the case, where the researcher has the opportunity to access a deeper level understanding of a complex phenomenon and interactions. The Bam case was an attempt to ‘urbanise’ the previous reconstruction experience in Iran, which had been based on large scale rural reconstruction experiences. The research advances the discourse on organising reconstruction, the organisational configuration and management of post-disaster reconstruction activities, focusing on housing. The research connects to knowledge areas of disaster-development studies in urban contexts, strategic management and contingency view in organisation theory and construction management, assisting to achieve better reconstruction programmes in other national and international cases. Taking the discourse forward in-depth learning opportunities are identified and linked back to theoretical discussions. Through the iterative process, the research proposes a graphically presented analytical framework, which integrates multiple overlapping perspectives for understanding organisation design and management of a post-disaster reconstruction programme, which have developmental objectives in an urban context, offering overlapping theoretical insights on this subject. Building on the learning opportunities the proposed analytical model is supported by complementing propositions.