Building back better: delivering people-centred housing reconstruction at scale

This book addresses the growing demand for reconstruction at scale following devastating impact of disasters on the world's population on the increase, influenced by climate change, urbanization, and persistent high levels of poverty, among other factors. It asks: (i) whether large-scale reconstruction can be participatory and developmental; (ii) if rebuilding can be truly people-centred, contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence; and (iii) if reconstruction reduce people's vulnerability to disasters and other shocks.

The book examines the context for reconstruction, and shows how developments in the fields of housing, participation and livelihoods have changed and enriched approaches to reconstruction. It then goes on to explore the practice of implementing large-scale reconstruction through in-depth case studies of recent programmes in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia and India. Finally, an analysis of selected projects in six additional countries over a longer period of time adds other issues of relevance to people-centred reconstruction at scale.