Post-disaster Reconstruction Research Articles

What factors influence building material supply for post-disaster reconstruction and recovery? A systematic review applying systems thinking

What factors influence building material supply for post-disaster reconstruction and recovery? A systematic review applying systems thinking

Empirical Investigation of the Effect of Anti-Price-Gouging Law on Postdisaster Reconstruction Wages

Empirical Investigation of the Effect of Anti-Price-Gouging Law on Postdisaster Reconstruction Wages

Determining the critical factors for realising successful post-disaster reconstruction projects in the Caribbean

Business as usual project management practice may not be applicable in the recovery of the built environment following a disaster. Unfortunately, little research has been undertaken to understand the nature of post-disaster recovery projects and the requirements for their success in the Caribbean. The Caribbean islands' exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards make it essential to understand what constitutes successful post-disaster reconstruction. By drawing on end-users’ perspectives in four Caribbean islands (Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent) through a quantitative survey and factor analysis, this paper identifies critical factors that determine successful outcomes with post-disaster Caribbean recovery projects. The factor analysis results from the survey responses on 24 empirical success factors suggests four composite Caribbean specific critical success factors, namely, 1) effective management of project knowledge, 2) environment and ecosystem stewardship, 3) stakeholder engagements at multiple levels, and 4) efficient management of financial, social and human resources. The findings from this research can assist with minimising the recurring post-disaster reconstruction projects, project financing donors and managers with an understanding of the issues that matter most to the region success, and realising the end-users’ (the beneficiaries) expectations. Mainstreaming these factors into project planning and execution, and adopting resilience-oriented project management practices, augers well for managing Caribbean disaster reconstruction projects for greater success.

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.

The construction of temporary and permanent housing after the Semeru eruption as a new strategy for post-disaster reconstruction

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted on December 4, 2021, which resulted in dozens of residents in Lumajang Regency dying and thousands of residents fleeing. The government is programming the rehabilitation of infrastructure and facilities, including reconstructing temporary and permanent housing for refugees. The research location is in the refugee relocation area in Sumbermujur Village, Candipuro District. In post-disaster reconstruction programs, permanent housings are built after temporary housings have been occupied for several months. However, in Lumajang Regency, the government accelerated the construction of permanent housing so that the developer completed the permanent housing earlier than the temporary housing. Two types of residential units were built simultaneously on a plot of site by different developers, so problems arose in combining the different housing types. After conducting literature studies and general observations, the researcher selected five cases for further observation. The criteria and technical specifications for temporary units are stated in Lumajang Regent Regulation Number 1 of 2022. The construction of permanent units uses RISHA technology. The two types of housing are planned to be directly connected in integration. This paper aims to explain the implementation of the construction of temporary and permanent housing and identify problems in combining the two types of housing in one plot. Researchers found four categories of issues, namely: differences in floor height at the connection between two building units, door and window openings that do not function because they meet the wall, two areas of the roof that are not connected properly, and there are gaps in the connection between units.

The politics of land management after disasters: the case of post-earthquake reconstruction in Türkiye

PurposeIn this paper, we explore the impact of land management practices on post-disaster housing, to draw lessons from the case of reconstruction in Türkiye.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted two qualitative case studies of two reconstruction experiences following the 2020 Elazığ and İzmir earthquakes. We analyzed 70 articles, technical reports and press releases and then used a set of policy analysis tools to examine five policy documents in depth. Finally, we wanted to understand how key officers interpreted these policy documents, so we closely analyzed the transcripts of eight semi-structured interviews.FindingsTürkiye’s legal framework comprises five main policies that concentrate power in the central government and are not tailored to post-disaster reconstruction. This framework facilitates the construction of rubber-stamped apartment buildings, which disregard cultural and social contexts and practices. The current reconstruction policy neglects alternative options like cooperative housing, which could better respond to communal needs and expectations. It also often leads to the loss of land rights among affected residents.Research limitations/implicationsWe only analyzed decision-making processes in two case studies and based our study on a limited number of interviews. Therefore, it is difficult to generalize our results and apply them to other contexts. Further quantitative and qualitative work is necessary to conceptualize the links between land management and post-disaster housing reconstruction.Practical implicationsOur findings suggest a need for legislative frameworks specifically designed to address land management during post-disaster reconstruction. The concentration of power in central governments is problematic, thus it remains crucial to empower local authorities by reinforcing technical expertise and facilitating administrative autonomy.Originality/valueThis study offers unique insights into how power relations influence land management practices in post-disaster housing reconstruction. Examining the centralization of power and its impact on cultural and social practices identifies common forms of dispossession and points to key areas for policy improvement.

Dynamic Real-Time Optimization of Modular Unit Allocation to Off-Site Facilities in Postdisaster Reconstruction Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Dynamic Real-Time Optimization of Modular Unit Allocation to Off-Site Facilities in Postdisaster Reconstruction Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Changes in Our Government's Counterpart Support Policy, Logic of Evolution and Prospects for Reform

Coordinated regional development is inextricably linked to the practice of the counterpart support policy, and a scientific understanding of its historical process, evolutionary logic, and power mechanism is an important issue in realizing comprehensive economic and social progress and common prosperity. Based on the perspective of historical institutionalism, a panoramic overview of the internal logic of the change of the counterpart support system can help improve the foresight of reform. China's counterpart support system has experienced three stages: early germination, initial establishment and deep promotion, and the reform process has been deeply influenced by the transformation of the economic system, the requirements of regional coordinated development and the consensus of community values, and has shown obvious path dependence. The birth of the "factory-package commune" model, the convening of the National Conference on Border Defence, and the speeches made at the conference on post-disaster reconstruction are three key points in the development of the counterpart support system. The power mechanism for the evolution of the counterpart support system comes from the vertical "administrative contracting system" and the horizontal "competition tournament". In the future, the counterpart support system will continue to develop along the lines of scientific, intelligent and balanced development, exploring new modes of counterpart support, and pushing forward the improvement of the quality and effectiveness of counterpart support work.

The TransIRIO model: Capturing the economic ripple effect of different economic behaviours in post-disaster emergency - Recovery - Reconstruction

Existing models for assessing the indirect economic impact of disasters typically focus on the economic impact of post-disaster reconstruction and ignore the repercussions of the periodic characteristics of disaster management; thus, these models rarely capture the full indirect economic impact of disasters. In response, this study develops the TransIRIO model, which captures the amplified impacts of emergency rescue, transportation interruption and reconstruction on demand during the emergency - recovery - reconstruction. The balancing of adaptive behaviours, such as creating an inventory buffer, price elasticity, import/export control strategies, and distribution optimization is explored, and the intelligent response behaviour of interregional industrial entities in post-disaster management is assessed. We apply the TransIRIO model to simulate the propagation of impacts across 31 provinces in mainland China following the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. Our results found that previous assessment models that did not consider specific social activities during emergency rescue underestimated the indirect economic impact of disasters to some extent, and that underscored the importance of incorporating the spatially distributed and networked characteristics of transportation systems into supply-demand chain-based economic models. This study not only presents a novel approach to economic modelling but also provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers engaged in post-disaster recovery planning.

Investigating Post-Disaster Reconstruction since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake: A Study on the Ōtsuchi-chō, Iwate Prefecture through Timelines

Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, 13 years have passed, and many areas have completed post-disaster reconstruction. Therefore, it is necessary to further summarise and analyse the experiences gained from this post-disaster reconstruction. This study conducted door-to-door interviews with residents of Ōtsuchi-chō, Iwate Prefecture, in the 13 years following the earthquake. It recorded the residents’ perspectives on post-disaster reconstruction and its shortcomings. By collecting locally published materials like newspapers, and local government records and integrating them with interview records, the first “Great East Japan Earthquake Timeline” for Ōtsuchi-chō was compiled. We primarily divided this timeline into the following three phases: the disaster and early reconstruction period (2011), the mid-reconstruction period (2012–2015), and the late reconstruction period (2016–Present). This timeline has yielded the following results: firstly, some issues have arisen during this prolonged reconstruction process. For example, continuous relocation hinders community rebuilding, especially in the context of an ageing society. Secondly, the “Ōtsuchi-chō Reconstruction Timeline” was created, which can be used for post-disaster reconstruction in contemporary Japanese villages facing severe ageing. This timeline provides a clear understanding of how disaster-affected areas can rebuild housing and infrastructure, and recover economically. It offers guidance for the reconstruction of Japanese villages after a disaster. Therefore, post-disaster reconstruction in the region should accelerate infrastructure development and continuously listen to residents’ voices, providing corresponding services to make reconstruction comprehensive and specific. At the same time, it also contributes to the post-disaster reconstruction of villages in other developed countries.

Addressing Post-Disaster Challenges and Fostering Social Mobility through Origami Infrastructure and Construction Trade Education

Natural disasters devastate property and infrastructure systems, impeding sustainable development. Low-income communities, due to economic, physical, and social disparities, face heightened exposure and vulnerability. These communities endure severe and long-lasting infrastructure damage, experiencing a fourfold increase in deaths per disaster and delayed recovery efforts. Consequently, they resort to constructing informal housing and infrastructure, worsening post-disaster challenges and vulnerabilities. This study aims to address post-disaster challenges in low-income communities by proposing two novel approaches that remain understudied despite their significant potential: (1) a short-term solution of origami temporary emergency housing for swift shelter post-disaster, enabling a return to routine activities while homes and infrastructure systems are being repaired or rebuilt; and (2) a long-term solution, including effective pedagogy, such as teaching methods and instructional tools, to educate and train low-income individuals to aid in sustainable post-disaster reconstruction while providing the added benefit of social mobility. To validate the feasibility of origami TEH and the need and effectiveness of the pedagogy, a survey among architecture, engineering, and construction experts in Puerto Rico, a region prone to natural disasters, was conducted. The results, analyzed using statistical measures including descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression analysis, emphasize the urgent need for sustainable TEH that can be quickly assembled and education for low-income individuals in construction trades. Implementing these solutions will significantly impact communities by addressing post-disaster challenges and promoting social mobility and job equity.

Hydrogeological Investigation of a Goaf and Subsidence Area Based on a Ground-to-Air Transient Electromagnetic Sounding Method

Water hazards in coal mines have always been the main geological hazard that restricts the safety of coal mine production. The traditional electromagnetic method is difficult to accurately detect the hydrogeological conditions of underground goafs due to accuracy and interference problems. The ground-to-air transient electromagnetic method is an electromagnetic detection technology with strong adaptability to various terrains, a large detection depth, a wide coverage, a high resolution, and fast speed. This paper mainly applies the ground-to-air transient electromagnetic method to conduct a hydrogeological engineering geological survey in a mine subsidence area. By using this method effectively, changes in hydrogeological and engineering geological conditions in the mine subsidence area are identified and water filling conditions below section 310 and section 250 of the roadway are determined. This study provides accurate and reliable basic data support for rescue operations and post-disaster reconstruction efforts, while also offering valuable insights for similar exploration projects.

An improved post-hurricane building damaged detection method based on transfer learning

After a natural disaster, it is very important for the government to conduct a damaged assessment as soon as possible. Fast and accurate disaster assessment helps the government disaster relief departments allocate resources and respond quickly and effectively to minimize the losses caused by the disaster. Usually, the method of measuring disaster losses is to rely on manual field exploration and measurement, and then calculate and label the damaged buildings or land, or rely on unmanned collections to remotely collect pictures of the disaster-stricken area, and compare the original pictures to carry out the disaster annotation and calculation. These methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inefficient. This paper proposes a post-hurricane building damage detection method based on transfer learning, which uses deep learning image classification algorithms to achieve post-disaster satellite image damage detection and classification, thereby improving disaster assessment efficiency and preparing for disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction. The proposed method adopts the theory of transfer learning, establishes a disaster image detection model based on the convolutional neural network model, and uses the 2017 Hurricane Harvey data as the experimental data set. Experiments have proved that our proposed model accuracy of disaster detection reaches 97%, which is 1% higher than other models.

A Framework to Assess Possible Sources of Stakeholder Exploitation: A Developing Country Case

Solving complex post-disaster reconstruction challenges requires the altruistic involvement of heterogeneous stakeholder groups. However, small, more organized groups, such as government parastatals, private developers, and contractors often exploit large, unorganized groups, such as affected communities, leaving them more vulnerable to future disasters. Based on data collected from a case study in Pakistan, this study proposed a framework to assess, anticipate, and mitigate the exploitation of vulnerable stakeholders in post-disaster reconstruction projects. The framework draws on influential management theories and utilizes reciprocal relationships between stakeholder attributes (power, legitimacy, and urgency), participation, and exploitation. The study also argued for non-binary treatment of stakeholder attributes. The framework will allow practitioners to address issues around the exploitation of stakeholder interests in future post-disaster reconstruction projects.

Factors Impacting Participatory Post-Disaster Relocation and Housing Reconstruction: The Case of Tsholotsho District, Zimbabwe

Relocation is not typically considered the best planning option for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation, but it may be necessary if the site has suffered severe damage or is at imminent risk. There is a growing recognition that strong community participation is necessary in the post-disaster relocation decision-making process since relocation can have detrimental effects on a community’s livelihood, cultural system, and way of life, among others. However, the realization of this still needs to be improved. As of yet, few studies have examined a comprehensive account of meaningful community engagement in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated what factors influenced local communities’ participation in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction works after the 2017 Cyclone Dineo flood disaster in the Tsholotsho District of Zimbabwe. Qualitative research methods such as face-to-face interviews, observations, and focus groups were used to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 25 community members and 6 stakeholders. This empirical investigation showed that despite the fact that the relocation project was conceived as a community-centered project, there was no meaningful community engagement, due to the absence of a participatory framework or planning guidelines for stakeholder engagement, as well as the lack of political willingness among government officials. The study concluded that the lack of community involvement led to local communities abandoning the reconstruction sites because relocation projects failed to accommodate the cultural beliefs, place attachments, and livelihood concerns of local communities. This study suggested that it is imperative to enhance the awareness of government officials and other stakeholders about the importance of community participation for the effective implementation of post-disaster relocation works. Meaningful community participation can also provide avenues for incorporating local needs and concerns, cultural beliefs, and alternative and sustainable livelihood restoration, which are essential for effective reconstruction after disasters. This research aimed to enrich the academic discourse by providing valuable insights into the intricacies of post-disaster recovery initiatives in the country.

Natural disasters and corporate tax burden: Evidence from chinese energy sector

Given the importance of energy company in disaster reconstruction and economic stability, we focus on the intrinsic link between natural disasters and energy corporate tax burden. This study examines the impact of natural disasters on the energy corporate tax burden using panel data for listed energy companies in China from 2003 to 2021. We robustly find that the higher the number of natural disasters in an energy company's region, the lower the corporate tax burden. The mechanism analysis suggests that the government, motivated by concerns that energy companies are in business distress and facing financing difficulties, is the mechanism by which natural disasters lead to lower energy corporate tax burdens. In addition, the above effects are more pronounced among energy companies that are larger, have a higher market share, and are subject to stronger government intervention. We provide theoretical basis and data support for post-disaster reconstruction and economic stability.

Modeling the Spatial Distribution of Population Based on Random Forest and Parameter Optimization Methods: A Case Study of Sichuan, China

Spatial population distribution data is the discretization of demographic data into spatial grids, which has vital reference significance for disaster emergency response, disaster assessment, emergency rescue resource allocation, and post-disaster reconstruction. The random forest (RF) model, as a prominent method for modeling the spatial distribution of population, has been studied by many scholars, both domestically and abroad. Specifically, research has focused on aspects such as multi-source data fusion, feature selection, and data accuracy evaluation within the modeling process. However, discussions about parameter optimization methods during the modeling process and the impact of different optimization methods on modeling accuracy are relatively limited. In light of the above circumstances, this paper employs the RF model to conduct research on population spatialization with multi-source spatial information data. The study primarily explores the differences in model parameter optimization achieved through random search algorithms, grid search algorithms, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing algorithms, Bayesian optimization based on Gaussian process algorithms, and Bayesian optimization based on gradient boosting regression tree algorithms. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of different optimization algorithms on the accuracy of population spatialization modeling. Subsequently, the model with the highest accuracy is selected as the prediction model for population spatialization. Based on this model, a spatial population distribution dataset of Sichuan Province at a 1 km resolution is generated. Finally, the population dataset created in this paper is compared and validated with open datasets such as GPW, LandScan, and WorldPop. Experimental results indicate that the spatial population distribution dataset produced by the Bayesian optimization-based random forest model proposed in this paper exhibits a higher fitting accuracy with real data. The Coefficient of Determination (R2) is 0.6628, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) is 12,459, and the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) is 25,037. Compared to publicly available international datasets, the dataset generated in this paper more accurately represents the spatial distribution of the population.

Remote sensing and optimized neural networks for landslide risk assessment: Paving the way for mitigating Afghanistan landslide damage

Landslides caused by mega earthquakes and other extreme climate change pose a major threat to lives and infrastructure. However, the lack of a detailed and timely landslide inventory and relevant risk assessment attributable to ongoing conflicts limits the effective prevention measures in Afghanistan. This study presents the first landslide inventory covering the whole nation of Afghanistan from 2015 to the present utilizing Google Earth Pro imagery and manual interpretation. Based on this inventory of 3,260 mapped landslides, we analyzed the distributional characteristics of landslides in Afghanistan and conducted a risk assessment that included landslide susceptibility and hazard, and vulnerability of the bearing areas. The existing regional studies attest to the accuracy and reliability of the inventory, and the results of the risk assessment using the optimized neural network method in this study are well validated. This study can provide a good database for the Afghan government to carry out relevant pre-disaster warnings and post-disaster reconstruction, which can help to delineate hotspots where landslides may occur, and reduce potential economic losses and human casualties from future landslides.

Move up or move over: mapping opportunities for climate adaptation in Pakistan’s Indus plains

The 2022 Indus floods in Pakistan underscore the urgency of adapting to more frequent and severe natural disasters in a warming world. Post-disaster reconstruction offers a chance to built-in adaptation measures, but identifying feasible and cost-effective adaptation options is challenging, especially in data-scarce regions. Here we employ a high-resolution rapid assessment of flood stages combined with demographic data to identify adaptation opportunities and costs for the Indus floodplains. Under a plausible set of assumptions, we find that rebuilding houses in a flood-proof, elevated manner (‘moving up’) or (temporary) relocation (‘moving over’) could have protected 13%, respectively 16% of people affected during the 2022 floods, while the remaining 70% of people were exposed to shallow water levels that could have been addressed with low-cost adaptation. Implementing these measures during ongoing reconstruction could be an effective adaptation to future floods but will come with substantial costs. Rebuilding in a flood-proofed manner (‘moving up’) alone would already increase costs by 26%–63% ($1.5bn–$3.6bn) compared to estimated reconstruction costs without adaptation ($5.8bn). Additional costs would be incurred by relocation and adaptation of other infrastructure. The absence of local flood stage and socio-economic data creates uncertainty and points to future research avenues. Yet, our prototype approach demonstrates the value of rapid assessments for guiding post-disaster adaptation of livelihoods to future floods.

Coupling coordination analysis of the economy-ecology-society complex systems in China's Wenchuan earthquake disaster area

Natural disasters have a profound and far-reaching impact on human society, economic progress, and ecological stability. Swift post-disaster reconstruction, aiding economic recovery, and minimizing social losses are paramount for attaining sustainable development in afflicted regions. This study delves into the coupling and coordinated development of the economic-ecological-social (EES) complex system during the post-disaster reconstruction following the Wenchuan earthquake in China. Using data spanning from 2005 to 2020, we constructed a comprehensive indicator system for the EES complex system. Subsequently, a coupled evaluation framework was established to assess its sustainable and coordinated development. Employing the AHP-entropy method and the coupled coordination degree model (CCD), we explored the interrelationships within the EES complex system. The results indicate that the CCD of the EES system in Wenchuan exhibited an upward trend in the decade following the earthquake, significantly expediting sustainable development in the disaster-stricken area. Geographically, CCD scores increased from the northeast to the southwest, revealing distinct stratification differences. Furthermore, CCD closely correlated with geographic location, ecological resource endowment, science and education, and the labor force. The study also analyzed spatial discrepancies in CCD scores and identified underlying factors. Based on these findings, we offer policy recommendations to fortify infrastructure development, reconfigure industrial layout, and heighten environmental consciousness. These results offer valuable insights for decision-making in post-disaster recovery and sustainable development.