Post-disaster Housing Reconstruction Research Articles

Study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of centralized post-disaster housing reconstruction in rural areas of Dujiangyan city after the Wenchuan earthquake

Abstract The Wenchuan earthquake caused severe damage to rural areas in Dujiangyan. Determining the reconstruction plan for farmers’ housing and unifying reconstruction opinions, while ensuring the rational distribution of resources, became a key focus for the government. As post-disaster reconstruction planning progressed and neared completion, comparative and innovative studies on rural land systems before and after the earthquake, as well as patterns of farmers’ housing reconstruction, became important research topics. Traditional studies lack empirical assessments of rural housing reconstruction models from a micro perspective. This paper analyzes and compares the resettlement effects of three typical housing reconstruction models in rural Dujiangyan, aiming to supplement empirical assessments of post-disaster rural reconstruction effectiveness. It reflects the impacts and effects of different reconstruction models selected through collective resolutions in typical towns of Dujiangyan, considering aspects such as development intensity, resettlement efficiency, economic income, and living environment. This analysis helps understand the differences that various reconstruction methods may bring to communities, aiming to summarize past experiences, optimize reconstruction planning and management, and enhance the satisfaction and well-being of disaster-affected people in rural housing reconstruction.

Pathways of multi-hazard post-disaster housing reconstruction among Ivatan Indigenous households

Most disaster-affected populations face the complex task of reconstructing their dwellings with minimal or no external support. However, not much is known about the self-initiated reconstruction pathways of households, especially among Indigenous groups needing to address the competing impacts of multiple hazards. We conducted a case study analysis based in Itbayat, Batanes in the Philippines to understand the housing reconstruction trajectories of the Ivatan Indigenous households after the 2019 earthquakes that redefined their typhoon-resilient construction practices. Using interviews and focus group discussions, factors affecting the reconstruction process were elicited. Then, using concept maps, we explored the linkages of these factors leading to the adoption of the emergent housing outputs. We found that the emergence of new housing typologies that displaced the vernacular architecture was influenced by the compounded urgency to reconstruct houses, perceptions of housing safety influenced by the seismic events, the nature of aid provided alongside households’ financial capacity, and the regulatory barriers affecting traditional resource extraction. To achieve structural housing safety, this study demonstrates the need for policies that enable and guide reconstruction in emergency contexts, as well as systems to channel aid to provide equitable opportunities to build back safer. Additionally, the role of local governance is shown to leverage the use of existing indigenous construction practices salient for rebuilding. This study builds upon the heightened imperatives in the disaster risk reduction practice and policy environments to focus on the multi-hazard realities affecting communities and the use of local and indigenous knowledge to reduce disaster impacts.

Sustainable development study of the post-disaster housing resettlement case in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia case study: Nglepen Village and Pagerjurang Village

According to Government Regulation No. 21 of 2008, chapter 67, article 3, the Government of Indonesia promotes community involvement in the post-disaster housing recovery act. The resettlement case in Nglepen Village and Pagerjurang Village is categorized as a rapid and massive recovery based on a contractor-based strategy due to limited land availability, budgetary constraints, post-disaster emergency conditions, and the government’s responsibility to provide large numbers of sufficient housing units. In specific circumstances, the condition of the relocation houses will typically not be able to meet the needs of most residents. This study emphasized the sustainable development of the two case studies and highlighted different private residential housing types: 1) a dome-shaped reinforced structure house in Nglepen and 2) a conventional reinforced concrete structural frame house in Pagerjurang. The two different structural housing system types will affect the sustainable development of the housing condition. Field surveys and interviews were conducted in 2022–2023 to collect the primary data, and study of literacy was used to support the findings and analyzed through a descriptive qualitative method. The sustainable development in the case study relocation area is mainly influenced by aspects such as the economic sector, development priorities related to the residents’ activities and needs, and the adaptive design strategy between old and new buildings. According to the disaster management law and derivative regulations, the Government of Indonesia has sought ideal conditions for disaster-affected residents in the relocation and reconstruction processes. The study’s conclusions suggested that the government, beneficiaries, and all stakeholders must collaborate to improve post-disaster housing and settlement relocation planning and reconstruction in the future by involving the residents in the process of deciding on the location, managing the development, and creating comprehensively sustainable development guidelines for the people’s houses and its living environment.

Post Disaster Housing Reconstruction in Lokoja-Nigeria: Major Problems Experienced and the Way Forward

There is an observable increase in the frequency of natural disasters (floods) in recent times and the appalling nature of destruction emanating from natural disasters on housing has become a global concern and is putting everyone on their feet to find out strategy to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post disaster undertakings. Housing reconstruction which is supposed to give succour to the disaster affected people often fail due to some issues. This study considered the major issues that are peculiar to the Post Disaster Housing Reconstruction (PDHR) settings in the study area since each setting is confronted with different impediments. This was done through a self-administration of structured questionnaires to 257 flood victims directly or indirectly involved in the reconstruction projects. Findings indicated unethical conducts of professionals and non-engagement of beneficiaries or communities during reconstruction. These indicators are threats to the success of PDHR projects. Therefore, offering beneficiaries the opportunity to meaningfully contribute in reconstruction affairs that is to shape their lives in terms of housing and livelihoods, will in no small level minimize problems experienced in PDHR. This will deliver a more sustainable and resilient PDHR development where satisfaction and acceptability of the project will be evident, and the donor will have value for his money.

Understanding the Materiality of Disaster Injustice in Post-disaster Housing Reconstruction

Understanding the Materiality of Disaster Injustice in Post-disaster Housing Reconstruction

A Meta-study of Architectural Design Processes in Post-disaster Housing Reconstruction in Iran

Background and objective Despite conducting numerous studies in the two areas of “architectural design process” and “post-disaster housing reconstruction” in recent years in Iran, limited studies have been conducted for the meta-study of these two areas. Therefore, to redefine the “post-disaster housing reconstruction” and strengthen the common theoretical foundations, the current study aims to review the related studies to obtain in-depth knowledge of the concepts common between post-disaster housing reconstruction and architectural design process, extract operational concepts, and formulate a proposed conceptual model. Method This is a mixed-method meta-study using an interpretive-naturalistic approach. The articles published in Persian over the last twenty years were searched using the keywords “housing architecture design process”, “post-disaster housing reconstruction,” and “participatory architecture design process and post-disaster housing “. The initial search yielded 168 articles. After several stages of screening, 66 articles were selected for further review. Quantitative analysis was done using descriptive statistics in Excel software. Qualitative analysis was done using the coding technique and MaxQDA software. Results The studies in the field of Iranian architecture are mainly subject-oriented and independent of time and place, based on theoretical knowledge along with the global knowledge of architecture and in line with the third generation of design processes (mental processes of architects). Meanwhile, the articles in the field of post-disaster housing reconstruction in Iran are mainly experience-oriented and location-oriented, with an applied design and using a case study method. Conclusion The “post-disaster housing design process,” due to its nature, includes all three generations of architectural design processes, including systematic, collaborative, and mental processes. Recognizing and redefining the “steps of post-disaster housing design and planning”, “roles and responsibilities”, and “managing the implementation of plans and programs” related to the systematic processes; “participatory design and participatory architects”, “participation in post-disaster design and supply of housing”, “effective factors, barriers, and facilitators of participation” related to the collaborative processes; and “architect- and problem-focused design factors”, “architect’s post-disaster knowledge and attitude towards the situation”, “redefining the post-disaster contextual architecture” and “ mentalizing factors of the architect and disaster survivors” related to the mental processes are the most important issues involved in the three generations of the post-disaster housing design process.

Optimizing Modularization of Residential Housing Designs for Rapid Postdisaster Mass Production of Housing

Postdisaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) is a highly complex process because of the large number of recovery projects for affected communities and the shortage of resources after a disastrous event. PDHR also needs a strategy that reconsiders it as a large-scale integrated portfolio of projects instead of individual building reconstruction projects. However, this complexity and the lack of a holistic, systematic approach for planning frequently lead to an ad-hoc or case-by-case decision-making process. To resolve this critical challenge in postdisaster housing mass production, this study investigates and develops a systematic approach that optimizes the design modularization of housing recovery projects considering manufacturing, transportation, and assembly factors for a cost-efficient and sustainable implication of modular construction (MC) in PDHR. Using the genetic algorithm-based optimization method, the proposed method addresses the possible trade-offs between the commonality and suitability of the module configurations for PDHR projects. In addition, the authors used a set of feasible configurations of a variety of modular housing designs created from the AI-based generative design system and conducted the mass production scenarios after a disaster to validate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed methodology. The results clearly show that the proposed method significantly improved optimization and decision-making of MC design and construction processes and considerably enhanced rapid and logical responses to the demands of the postdisaster recovery process. The newly developed method is expected to assist the planners in formalizing the commonality concept in the PDHR process and achieving an optimal level of modularity and commonality that meet the required variation while maintaining the advantages of mass production.

Identification of Lean Implementation in the Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction

Housing reconstruction is a significant determinant of the post-disaster recovery process and one of the most complex challenges, especially in developing countries. Post-disaster housing reconstruction sometimes results in poor environmental quality, delayed construction completion, low performance, and wasteful materials. Previous research has shown the success of the lean application in construction projects as well as in reconstruction projects. Its means that post-disaster housing reconstruction can also apply lean principles and techniques. This study aims to identify and analyze lean theories and techniques that can be implemented to overcome, minimize or resolve problems in Indonesia’s post-disaster housing reconstruction stage to obtain a lean model (Lean Housing Reconstruction). This study is the initial stage of developing a lean implementation model in post-disaster housing reconstruction. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to obtain lean principles and techniques for post-disaster housing reconstruction. The results of the SLR obtained five lean construction techniques that can be used for housing reconstruction, including Lean Six Sigma, Last Planner System, 5S (Sort, Straight, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain), Value Stream Mapping, and Pull Scheduling.

A conceptual framework for implementing lean construction and building information modeling (BIM) in post-disaster housing reconstruction projects

The occurrence of natural disasters in Indonesia every year results in massive damage to people’s homes. It requires a fast and appropriate post-disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) strategy. The building firm or contractor is among the most significant contributors; in post-disaster conditions, the contractor has to work in a project environment that is much more complicated than conventional projects, and this often results in poor contractor performance. An approach to improve contractor performance is the application of Lean Construction. In line with this linking, the function of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool in the application of Lean has also proven effective in conventional projects. However, studies focusing on its simultaneous application to PDHR projects are still lacking. A conceptual framework that can be applied to specific Lean and BIM implementations in PDHR projects is needed to address this issue. This paper proposes a conceptual framework by identifying and analyzing various previous studies as a proper basis. The study shows several Lean Construction and BIM factors relevant to contractor performance indicators in post-disaster housing reconstruction projects.

Barriers to Postdisaster Housing Reconstruction: Issues of Place and Power Mismatch

Barriers to Postdisaster Housing Reconstruction: Issues of Place and Power Mismatch

Provision of Post-flood Housing Reconstruction in Kuala Krai, Kelantan vs. Local Housing Practices

Local values have been disregarded in post-disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR), causing difficulties in the community's daily lives. This research aimed to assess the physical attributes of PDHR in Kuala Krai Kelantan against pre-flood traditional values and to analyze their response toward these values. This analysis employed a case study method involving 36 Kampung Manek Urai Lama respondents. Findings discovered that crucial local housing attributes were not considered in the PDHR, resulting in culturally incompatible houses. The result of this study shall be a learning tool to facilitate improvement for future PDHR in Malaysia.

Analyzing Post-Disaster Reconstruction Stakeholder Networks: Malaysian rural housing

This article uses the social network analysis to identify resource coordination and information exchange of stakeholders in the inter-organizational network by studying the project-related interactions of rural housing reconstruction in Temerloh, Pahang that were funded by the Malaysian government, His Majesty the King and NGO. The data was collected through content analysis and interviews with 23 government agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders. Findings from the analysis established that government agencies had the highest actor centralities, with the Rural Development Ministry and the local government level being the most central among the government agencies, whereas the homeowners had the lowest centralities.

Factors influencing resource availability for post-disaster housing reconstruction: the case of Gaza Strip-Palestine

Disasters are on increase around the world which resulted in widespread devastation of houses. For reconstruction projects in post-disaster, it is crucial to understand the success factors influencing the resource availability. Drawing on a questionnaire survey in Gaza Strip-Palestine following the 2014 war, the significant success factors are identified. The questionnaire targeted 55 key informants in implementing agencies of housing reconstruction after 2014 war. Three categories of success factors were identified: project stakeholders, reconstruction project and its management, and project operational environment. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. The study findings revealed that the category related to project operational environment had the highest average influence index on resource availability. The highest influential success factors were ‘enhancing transparency and accountability’, ‘call for international support’, and ‘strong leadership from the government’. The study findings highlighted the highest success factors which successfully helped the reconstruction practitioners in post-2014 to acquire resources. The results will assist the reconstruction stakeholders in Gaza-Strip and other countries to highlight and ensure the significant success factors influencing the resource availability to effectively manage housing reconstruction projects after the war. This research contributes to existing knowledge by identifying success factors influencing the resource availability.

Problems and Possible Solutions of Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction Projects in India

Abstract Natural disasters occur often around the globe and result in significant loss of life and property. Over the last two decades, there has been a remarkable rise in extreme weather events that have the potential to wreak devastation on the planet. Frequently, disaster-affected regions needed to enhance their capacity for rebuilding, requiring more experienced and competent personnel to oversee the projects. Post-disaster reconstruction (PDR) is a complicated and difficult procedure requiring a variety of distinct and well-coordinated actions. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of disasters, analyse the problems associated with post-disaster housing reconstruction projects in India, and provide potential solutions. A standardised questionnaire was used to gather data from a purposeful sample as part of a quantitative methodology. The analysed data reveal that institutional procedures, rebuilding techniques, project execution, and stakeholder management all contribute to the effective implementation of post-disaster home reconstruction projects.

Potential of Modular Offsite Construction for Emergency Situations: A New Zealand Study

Natural disasters cause significant adverse social and financial impacts by damaging homes and infrastructure. These disasters also need a quick and immediate solution to post-disaster housing problems, to provide temporary housing services for short-term disaster relief and reconstruction of lost and damaged houses for complete recovery. Reconstruction of new permanent housing for disaster victims is one of the most time-consuming post-disaster activities. However, time is a vital consideration that should be minimized for the reconstruction of houses for affected populations. Modular offsite construction technology has the potential to enhance the post-disaster housing reconstruction process due to its intrinsic characteristics of time-efficiency. This study aimed to assess the potential of the modular offsite construction method as an approach that could promote the design and construction process of post-disaster reconstruction in New Zealand in emergencies. An extensive literature review has been carried out to evaluate the features of the modular construction method, which can add value to the post-disaster recovery phase. To evaluate the suitability and viability of modular offsite construction for post-disaster reconstruction and to find substantial obstacles to its implementation, feedback was collected and evaluated using the multi-attribute methodological approach by performing a national survey of construction industry experts in New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews with New Zealand experts were then followed to confirm and validate the questionnaire findings. The findings indicate that modular offsite construction technology is a viable solution for providing housing in emergencies or during post-disaster reconstruction in New Zealand, with its time-efficiency and ability to overcome the challenges of the current traditional method by its specific advantages. Reduced need for onsite labor, overcoming local labor resource constraints affected by the disaster, and enhanced productivity due to a controlled environment are the advantages of the modular offsite technology, which are discussed in this research.

Women’s Empowerment in Post-Conflict Housing Reconstruction in Palestine

The occurrence of disasters, especially in the post disaster phase, could be an opportunity to empower women in housing reconstruction. Despite that the disasters are on increase globally; they affect women and men differently. Women are still passive in disaster management and they have been found more vulnerable to disasters than men. This study provides insights into the experiences of women empowerment in post disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) in the Gaza Strip-Palestine. The study used a questionnaire survey to obtain data from women who had been involved in post conflict housing reconstruction. The results indicated that, five of nine practices of women empowerment were determined statistically significant. The findings showed that, the top three practices for women empowerment are: ensuring rights of land titles for female-headed households in the PDHR, equal distribution of financial assistance to both men and women, and equal access to resources and information related to reconstruction. Gaza Strip lacks researches regarding women empowerment in general and in PDHR in particular. This study fills the knowledge gap relating to women empowerment in post conflict housing reconstruction. The study results established a basis for better understanding of the women empowerment and could minimize their vulnerabilities to future disasters.

Proposal of Resilient Housing Features for the Disaster Affected Community of Bangladesh

Thinking resiliency in terms of housing features for post disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR) is a paramount initiative after a disaster. Therefore, the aim of this research is to ascertain the demands of the disaster victims and propose a wind-resistant, resilient housing prototype that would be affordable. Based on a three-month survey of the region severely damaged by Cyclone SIDR in Bangladesh, this research argues that PDHR’s planning features are significantly short of the victims’ choice, need, and demand, forcing them to quickly modify or transform the reconstructed houses. Based on the survey, a prototype covering an area of 37.21 sq. m (400 sq. ft) with a hybrid construction technique and a cost model are proposed that will be a resilient solution against cyclones and other natural hazards. Additionally, the proposed house was modeled using finite elements, and its findings are within the International Building Code’s allowable limits. In conclusion, this paper proposes some guidelines to strengthen Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) that would enable to build a resilient housing society in the disaster-prone areas.

People-centered disaster recovery: A comparison of long-term outcomes of housing reconstruction in Thailand, India, and Japan

Although scholars recognize the importance of long-term recovery outcomes for disaster risk reduction and community empowerment, even within the limited research on long-term housing recovery, cross-national and temporal comparisons of multiple reconstruction projects are rare. Drawing on a systematic literature review and case-study approach, this paper explores two case studies of post-disaster housing reconstruction projects, each from three countries in Asia-- India, Thailand, and Japan. The cases are post-disaster housing reconstruction after the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake and 2008 Kosi River floods in Bihar in India, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and 2014 Chiang Rai Earthquake in Thailand, and the 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake and 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. Comparisons across cases found consistency as well as change in each country. Analysis of reconstruction policies, programs, and governance systems led to several key findings, identifying housing reconstruction processes that led to beneficial longer-term outcomes in social, economic, technical and environmental aspects in the three countries. In contrast to government-driven housing recovery programs in Japan, housing recovery programs in both India and Thailand included crucial support from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) integrated with and complementing official support from the government. Able to translate government policies into practice in ways that community needs could be met in increasingly people-centered ways, CSOs played significant roles in the provision of needed housing units and beyond, in facilitating increased flexibility of housing recovery options, filling gaps as an intermediary between the government and the needs of the people.

Simulating post-disaster temporary housing needs for displaced households and out-of-town contractors

Residential damage from major disasters often displaces local residents out of their homes and into temporary housing. Out-of-town contractors assisting in post-disaster housing reconstruction also need housing, creating additional pressure on the local housing stock. Communities should thus prepare for a surge in temporary housing demand to minimize the impact on the local residents and to expedite housing recovery efforts. Computational models can support recovery planning. This article introduces an agent-based simulation framework to estimate the workforce demand and the joint temporary housing needs of contractors and displaced households. The main agents are households seeking to repair their homes, local contractors, and out-of-town contractors. Out-of-town contractor agents come into the community if the labor and housing markets are favorable. The framework can be used to evaluate the resulting challenges and benefits of interventions aimed at attracting out-of-town contractors to expedite housing recovery. We present a case study on the housing recovery of the city of San Francisco after hypothetical M 6.5, M 7.2, and M 7.9 earthquakes. A shortage of contractors is shown to bottleneck the reconstruction if no out-of-town contractors are recruited. Conversely, out-of-town contractors increase the likelihood of temporary housing shortages. These results highlight the need to plan for shortages of reconstruction labor and temporary housing during recovery.

Relationship between the organizational structure in implementing Post-Disaster Housing reconstruction and outcome characteristics: A study on urban dujiangyan after the Wenchuan Earthquake

Many works of literature have agreed that the centralized reconstruction mechanism of China could guarantee an efficient reconstructive enforcement. However, many have also speculated that it might disrupt the involvement of the local parties during its implementation, and have adverse effects on the affected area, especially in the field of housing. However, there is currently limited knowledge on the implementation process of housing reconstruction and its effect on the affected localities. This research conducted an empirical study on Dujiangyan City after the Wenchuan Earthquake. It identified the organizational structure of the involved stakeholders, evaluated the implementation outcomes of respective stakeholders, identified the characteristics of the housing outcomes, and indicated the preferences and limitations of the participating stakeholders. The results indicated that the Chinese top-down housing reconstruction was not inevitably carried out as speculated in the literature. The local government was still a leading force. Its mobilization of local and external stakeholders significantly contributed to providing diverse resettlement options for the affected population. However, the housing outcomes revealed an imbalanced spatial distribution and concentrated on the new urban area. Such characteristics could be attributed to the reconstruction plan that emphasized peri-urban development on a large scale and the organizational method that constrained the stakeholder's participation in all urban areas. Hence, implications are given for the betterment of housing reconstruction in China: a more compact reconstruction plan that adopts cautious renovation to the original urban structure, and sufficient coordination between all stakeholders in the full process of housing reconstruction.