Post-disaster housing reconstruction presents a critical opportunity to rebuild safe housing for affected populations while changing construction practices permanently. This Primer outlines the basic steps in the process of selecting a model for planning and executing post-disaster housing reconstruction projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The document is intended to provide USAID officers and Host Country officials with the steps, principles, and best practices necessary to carry out housing construction and reconstruction properly in a post-disaster situation.
The Primer addresses several objectives, including reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses caused by housing collapses due to natural disasters in developing countries. It also aims to permanently change building code enforcement and/or construction practices, build local capacity through training, and change construction practices permanently by building local skills and stimulating local demand.
The process of post-disaster housing reconstruction involves several phases, including planning, design, and implementation. The Primer provides a road map for developing a project through these phases and builds on two earlier USAID Primers, “Basic Host Country Construction Contracting for Development Professionals: A Primer,” and “Basic Engineering and Construction Management: A Primer.”
The Primer introduces engineering and development professionals to the basic steps in the process of selecting a model for planning and executing post-disaster homeowner-driven housing reconstruction projects funded by USAID. It emphasizes the importance of local solutions, technical excellence, equality, and local capacity in achieving the objectives of post-disaster housing reconstruction.
Local solutions involve using detailed housing subsector studies to determine the most cost-effective ways of rebuilding disaster-resistant houses using materials and skills available through the local private sector. Technical excellence requires leveraging the knowledge and skills of the best engineers and architects in the world to ensure that the very best designs and design thinking are applied to the reconstruction efforts.
Equality is achieved by empowering homeowners to choose their own layouts and materials and manage their own construction, with technical assistance. Local capacity is built by hiring and training local builders, engineers, and homeowners to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to build safe houses in the future.
The Primer also discusses the role and responsibilities of the USAID project manager, including interactions with the affected community, partners, local officials, and other involved organizations. It provides a comprehensive framework for post-disaster housing reconstruction that can be adapted to different contexts and situations.
The Primer covers various phases of the planning, design, and implementation process, including pre-design steps, design, builder/contractor selection, construction supervision, and fund distribution. It also discusses the importance of construction checklist, project schedule, and fund distribution schedule in ensuring the successful implementation of post-disaster housing reconstruction projects.
Overall, the Primer provides a valuable resource for USAID officers, Host Country officials, and other stakeholders involved in post-disaster housing reconstruction. It offers a comprehensive framework for achieving the objectives of post-disaster housing reconstruction while building local capacity and changing construction practices permanently.