Factors Influencing Post-disaster Reconstruction Project Management for Housing Provision in the Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestinian Territories

Adnan Enshassi,Jason Von Meding,Tarik Chatat,Giuseppe Forino

doi:10.1007/s13753-017-0155-4

Abstract

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Gaza Strip has suffered regular cycles of reconstruction due to systematic destruction during Israeli military operations, as in 2006, 2008–2009, 2012, and 2014. In this context of ongoing conflict this article aims to identify, rank, and discuss the most important factors influencing post-disaster reconstruction project management (PDRPM) for housing in the Gaza Strip. A set of key factors that influence PDRPM were assembled as a result of a global literature review. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the obtained data were analyzed using a relative importance index for each PDRPM factor. Findings are presented in six groups: housing approaches, organizational behavior, project funding, supply chain and logistics, communication and coordination, and PDRPM context. Findings indicate that the most significant factors that influence PDRPM for housing provision in the Gaza Strip are related to issues associated with financial resources. It is critical that sufficient funding should be available in order to allow organizations to undertake housing projects in an effective and efficient way. Joint efforts are required from international donors and local organizations in order to effectively manage financial resources with the ultimate goal of improving PDRPM for housing provision.

Highlights

According to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), disasters represent ‘‘a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources’’ (UNISDR 2009, p. 9)
Funding availability can be a very complex issue since funding may originate from multiple sources, all adopting their own requirements and time frames
The findings revealed that in four out of the six investigated groups, the most important factors that influence post-disaster reconstruction project management (PDRPM) for housing provision in the Gaza Strip are associated with funding

Summary

Introduction

According to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), disasters represent ‘‘a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources’’ (UNISDR 2009, p. 9). According to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), disasters represent ‘‘a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources’’ A post-disaster reconstruction context is invariably complex and unpredictable (von Meding et al 2016). Its functioning diverges significantly from routine scenarios and represents a challenge for decision makers, practitioners, and communities (Chang et al 2010, 2011). Post-disaster reconstruction is often considered from a project management perspective (Hidayat and Egbu 2010; Ismail et al 2014; von Meding et al 2014; Chang-Richards et al 2017). Project management can be described as a set of models and techniques for the planning and control of complex undertakings (Packendorff 1995), or the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities and to meet project requirements (Moe and Pathranarakul 2006)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion