Post-disaster reconstruction

Disasters provide physical, social, political and environmental development windows of opportunities that can be used not only to reconstruct the impacted areas, but also to improve the socio-economic and physical conditions of the impacted population in the long run. It is argued, however, that there is a limited time frame of approximately four years for such opportunities to be utilized efficiently. Bam earthquake in December 2003 that killed more than 27000 and devastated the historical part of the city opened several unique opportunities for mitigation, socio-economic and physical development. This paper examines the roles that various stakeholders played in the Bam reconstruction and their contribution to the success and failure of utilizing disaster development opportunities. The results show that stakeholders’ collaboration and participation, knowledge and experience, long-term and holistic visions, division of labour and use of resources have had significant influence on the success and failure of using post-disaster opportunities.

Iran is one of the most hazard-prone and vulnerable countries to disasters, with recurrent earthquakes causing severe human and economic losses. Yet, recovery has often been shaped by emergency-driven decisions, inadequate documentation, and weak institutional memory. The 1990 Rudbar-Manjil earthquake, the first major disaster to occur after the Islamic Revolution, marked a turning point in disaster management and reconstruction history. While significant, most existing studies have centered on official perspectives, overlooking the lived experiences of affected populations and practitioners. This study addresses that gap by revisiting the earthquake through oral history to preserve intangible heritage and extract lessons for future recovery. Using a qualitative approach, 63 semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials, decision-makers, and residents between July 2021 and February 2022. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify participants until data saturation was achieved. Transcriptions were systematically coded and thematically analyzed. This process produced a multi-perspective narrative of recovery, revealing both achievements and enduring challenges across institutional, social, and community dimensions. The Rudbar–Manjil case shows that durable disaster recovery depends on preparedness, effective governance, and community engagement. Preparedness requires pre-disaster frameworks and a process-oriented approach linking response and recovery. Strong governance relies on streamlined, transparent institutions, inter-agency coordination, and systematic information management. Embedding risk reduction throughout recovery ensures sustainability. Ultimately, community involvement is crucial: striking a balance between local participation and technical oversight enhances legitimacy and resilience. Addressing technical, institutional, and social dimensions together creates more effective and enduring recovery outcomes.