From policy implementation to public perception: A dual approach to assessing disaster recovery success in the Wenchuan and Bam earthquake recovery projects

Abstract

The present approaches for disaster recovery assessment most often solely concentrate on the tangible outcomes officially documented by local authorities. Therefore, they face shortcomings in addressing impacted populations' complex experiences and perspectives. Top-down disaster recovery evaluation methods emphasize macro-level variables, including infrastructure restoration and economic revitalization. Conversely, bottom-up evaluation methodologies emphasize community-level perceptions, including recovery assessment, residents' emotional well-being, and satisfaction. By integrating top-down and bottom-up disaster recovery assessment methods, this study seeks to close this knowledge gap and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the disaster recovery assessment approaches that followed the 2008 Wenchuan and 2003 Bam earthquakes in China and Iran. This study found that while Wenchuan's recovery benefited from a more structured and comprehensive approach, insufficient public involvement presented significant challenges. In contrast, Bam's reliance on community participation underscored the significance of meticulous planning and accountability in attaining long-term recovery success. Temporal recovery trends over reconstruction years in Wenchuan revealed that recovery trends varied throughout the region. The local government's main priority was rehabilitating the built environment and infrastructure. However, the public regarded social and economic recovery as more important factors for a successful recovery after a disaster. Thus, it is imperative to prioritize comprehensive planning to balance long-term social and economic development strategies and immediate infrastructure needs. Integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches allows policy-makers and local stakeholders to understand better the relationships between macro-level recovery trends and micro-level recovery perceptions. This way, disaster recovery projects may expect fostered recovery plans that sustainably meet both parties' needs.