Introduction

Abstract

Contemporary advances in the intersection between disaster and development studies characterise recovery and reconstruction with a multiplicity of tasks and objectives. In practice, however organising such reconstruction programmes that can achieve development objectives and contribute to multi-dimension recovery has proven problematic. Despite the increasing recognition of problems and difficulties in organising reconstruction processes, there is an imbalance in the literature in disaster fields that lean towards ‘what’ is expected from reconstruction with less attention to ‘how’ to organise reconstruction towards the delivery of such expectations. This chapter deals with questions of why, what and how. A combination of factors identifies the Bam case study as a strategic case for this research that are based on information-oriented and contemporary theoretical values. The Bam case for permanent housing reconstruction programme in an urban environment had three objectives: building earthquake-resistant buildings, safeguarding historical urban identity and mobilising people to participate. It was a complex case, offering learning opportunities to understand organisational design and management of reconstruction programmes and processes. The evidence-based learning opportunities and the theoretical research propositions advance the practice theory knowledge contributes to bridging the aforementioned theoretical gap towards better organising reconstruction processes in practice.