Seismic retrofit of housing in post-disaster situations is a critical aspect of disaster recovery and mitigation. The process involves planning and executing post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This Primer provides engineering and development professionals with the basic steps in the process of planning and executing post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing projects.
The Primer addresses various phases of the planning, evaluation, design, and implementation process and the various deliverables and milestones usually included as part of the process. It also discusses the role and responsibilities of the USAID project manager, including interactions with the affected community(ies), partners, local officials, and other involved organizations.
The objectives of the Primer are to greatly reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses caused by housing collapses due to natural disasters in developing countries. It aims to permanently change building code enforcement and/or construction practices so that houses built in the absence of external funding and technical support are substantively more resistant to collapse during and after disaster situations.
The Primer emphasizes the importance of local solutions, technical excellence, and community engagement in post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing. It highlights the need to use detailed housing subsector studies to determine the most cost-effective ways of rebuilding disaster-resistant houses using materials and skills that are available through the local private sector.
The Primer also discusses the role of technical excellence in post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing. It emphasizes the need to leverage the knowledge and skills of the best engineers and architects in the world to ensure that the retrofit process is carried out safely and effectively.
In addition, the Primer addresses the importance of community engagement and participation in post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing. It highlights the need to involve the affected community(ies) in the planning and implementation process to ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed.
The Primer provides a road map for developing a project through planning, evaluation, design, and implementation. It builds on two earlier USAID Primers, “Basic Engineering and Construction Management: A Primer” and “Building Back Housing in Post-Disaster Situations – Basic Engineering Principles for Development Professionals: A Primer.” It also accompanies the newly released Primer, “Site and Retaining Wall Hazard Mitigation in Post-Disaster Situations: A Primer,” which focuses in part on the retrofit of existing retaining walls.
The Primer addresses several key elements of a successful retrofit program, including the actors involved, the roles of implementing partners, and the stakeholders in a post-disaster housing retrofit program. It also discusses the importance of pre-evaluation activities, including homeowner preferences surveys, site surveys, and existing building surveys.
The Primer provides a comprehensive overview of the post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing process, including the retrofit process, analysis and design, implementation, and evaluation. It highlights the importance of quality assurance and quality control in the retrofit process and provides guidance on contracting, funding, and scheduling.
Overall, the Primer provides a valuable resource for engineering and development professionals working on post-disaster seismic retrofit of housing projects. It provides a comprehensive overview of the process and highlights the importance of local solutions, technical excellence, and community engagement in ensuring that housing is safe and resilient in the face of natural disasters.