Analytic overview of assessment tools for post-disaster reconstruction

Abstract

Natural disasters hit the built environment in developing countries particularly hard. The consideration of sustainability aspects in the reconstruction of housing and infrastructures is a key aspect of the principle of “building back safer”. At present, few tools exist for the assessment of sustainable post-disaster reconstruction. Therefore, this thesis provides an analytic overview of existing assessment tools, with the ultimate goal of clarifying which of the three main sustainability pillars, i.e. environment, economy and society, results to be driving in different assessment tools. This thesis also aims to recognize potential for new or further development of assessment tools and to promote an approach to assist practitioners confronted with post-disaster reconstruction, based on the analysed usability of the case studies. In addition, recommendations and directions for future research are provided.