Retracing reconstruction. An assessment method for urban metamorphoses following extreme events

ABSTRACT Numerous research projects have faced the problem of the interpretation of post-disaster reconstructions. Several contributions have approached the problem in terms of identifying urban-setting reconstruction models, some attempting a systemization on a historiographic basis. To date, however, there has been no comprehensive work aimed at developing a quantitative method for evaluating and comparing reconstruction experiences. This article proposes a reproducible method for the systematic classification of post-disaster reconstructions, based on critical redrawing and data analysis. In the paper, the method is applied to 30 cases of reconstruction after the Second World War.