Abstract
Despite the emphasis on sustainability in post-disaster recovery plans (PDRPs), few studies have been conducted to investigate the information conveyed in disaster recovery plans in terms of sustainability. We aimed to investigate, in terms of sustainability, how post-disaster recovery plans can be improved from historical learning by examining local recovery plans that were developed and adopted after the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes, which are two representative post-disaster recovery cases in China. An evaluation protocol for sustainability issues was developed to analyze the recovery plans of the most severely affected counties and towns in Wenchuan (16 samples) and Lushan (7 samples). A comparative analysis was conducted to identify the similarities, differences, and evolution of sustainability considerations in these PDRPs. Semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted to supplement the evaluation with qualitative data. The results show that the components and concepts of sustainability in PDRPs are conveyed and developed mostly by following the organization’s existing patterns and regulations. In contrast, some components are retained across plans, thereby suggesting a substantial general structure of recovery plans. The underlying logic of this experience transfer across plans was discussed. The findings can help local governments and planners to effectively incorporate sustainability into PDRPs.
Highlights
After experiencing the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and the Lushan earthquake in 2013, the Chinese state and local governments established standard guidelines for conducting post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work
We aimed to evaluate post-disaster recovery plans (PDRPs) in China and to define the elements of sustainable planning in order to establish an evaluation framework that combines plan quality and sustainability
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Summary
After experiencing the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and the Lushan earthquake in 2013, the Chinese state and local governments established standard guidelines for conducting post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work. Two typical catastrophe response models were initially developed after the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. After the Wenchuan earthquake, more than 200 post-disaster recovery and reconstruction policies were issued by the national and local governments in 2008, in which 19 provinces and municipalities participated in the paired assistance program. The Lushan earthquake provided the opportunity for China to foster a new model of locally-led post-disaster reconstruction. This model has transformed the national assistance model into an intra-provincial assistance model. The cities and counties in Sichuan province were paired to achieve the goal of reconstruction within three years
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