Dr Jason Von Meding

© 2016, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose ¿ One of the key elements contributing to successful post-disaster project teams is individual competence. Each project participant brings his or her own knowledge, experience and ideas to the collective. The kind of chaotic and fragmented environment that is common in post-disaster scenarios presents specific barriers to the success of projects, which can be mitigated by ensuring that staff members possess competencies appropriate for their deployment to particular contexts. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach ¿ The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, incorporating unstructured interviews to extract key factors of competence, project barriers and strategy, and a subsequent questionnaire survey, designed to quantify the various elements. Interviews were undertaken and analysed using a cognitive mapping procedure, while survey data were processed using SPSS. The data were then utilized in the development of a software prototype using Design Science Research methodology, capable of modelling the deployment of staff under various disaster scenarios. Findings ¿ Analysis of the survey and cognitive mapping data, in conjunction with relevant established frameworks, has allowed the classification of relevant competency elements. These elements have subsequently been measured and modelled into the competency-based tool and developed into a working prototype. Originality/value ¿ The developed system offers novel disaster competency assessment criteria. The system contains a variety of real-life scenarios derived from extensive data collection. These multi-hazard scenarios are embedded with knowledge and competency valuation criteria that can facilitate actors to assess their team¿s knowledge based on selective scenarios. In disaster response, time is a critical element, and this tool assists decision makers. It can enable disaster response actors to evaluate and assemble the appropriate personnel to deploy into disaster areas and into specific types of disaster environment.

The construction sector has an important role to play in the future creation of a more resilient built environment. The restoration of and design of new community infrastructure in the wake of major disasters can provide opportunities to reduce future threats and hazards in the built environment. However, there are often competing interests involved and these sociopolitical factors may result in a lack of transparency and fairness around decision-making processes. It has been previously documented that reconstruction efforts can be unduly impacted by misguided political and economic pressures to get communities 'back on their feet' quickly. Large scale disasters, particularly where there has been significant loss of life, tend to trigger intense media scrutiny and public expectation for rapid response and recovery. Particularly where there has been a large public fund-raising effort, both victims and donors often feel a stronger sense of attachment to the immediate recovery efforts in effected communities. The resulting media scrutiny and public pressure, real or perceived, on politicians to make quick decisions in relation to the reconstruction of community built infrastructure can lead to knee-jerk announcements regarding reconstruction plans that do not consider the longer-term sustainability and resilience of a community. In non-urban, or regional, communities the impact of poor political decisions can become even more pronounced. This paper will present analysis from semi-structured interviews conducted with stakeholders involved in the reconstruction after the 'Black Saturday' fires that occurred in regional Victoria, Australia, in early 2009.

In the aftermath of disasters attention naturally focuses on the impacts humans experience during rescue, recovery and rebuilding. Resilient outcomes are desirable but by no means guaranteed, and the consequences are usually attributed to the actions of humans. In a novel deployment this research uses an Actor Network Theory (ANT) lens to reanalyse case study data from three disaster theatres. It reveals the impact of nonhuman actants upon human actants, and their consequences for recovery efforts and resilience outcomes. In particular it exposes the potential economic retardation that food aid can inflict on fragile societies; the value of coherent policies and processes for resilient reconstruction in highly structured societies, and; the mixed blessings arising from the presence of TV cameras in disaster theatres. It concludes that using an ANT lens sensitises researchers to the influences that nonhuman actants can exert in dynamic post-disaster contexts, but that the use of purist ANT approach to solving problems within disaster theatres is not a practical proposition.

Vietnam is vulnerable to multiple hazards, particularly in the central region. Flood damage statistics show that this part of the country is impacted by both unfavourable terrain, and human interference leading to environmental damage. Such damage is often a result of poorly planned and managed forestry and hydropower plants. This paper examines the key vulnerabilities present in Vietnam while investigating the key problems in the development of hydropower in Vietnam; environmental impacts, design and construction of dams and the operation of dams.

Inner city developments are a common feature within many urban environments. Where these construction sites are not managed effectively, they can negatively impact their surrounding community. The aim of this paper is to identify and document, in an urban context, the numerous issues encounter and subsequent strategies adopted by on-site contractors and local people, in the mitigation of factors which negatively impact their surrounding community. The objectives in achieving this aim are to identify what effect, if any, an urban construction site has on its surrounding environment, the issues and resulting strategies adopted by contractors on the factors identified, and also what measures are put in place to minimise such disturbances to the local community. In order to meet the requirements, a mixed methodology is adopted culminating in a literature review, case study analysis, contractor and community interviews, concluding in the development of two specific questions for both perspectives in question. The data is assessed using severity indices based on mean testing in the development of key findings. The results indicate that the main forms of disturbance to the local community from an urban development include noise, dust and traffic congestion. With respect to a contractor on-site, the key issues include damaging surrounding buildings, noise control and off-site parking. The resulting strategies identified in the mitigation of such issues include the implementation of noise and dust containment measures and minimising disruption to local infrastructure. It is envisaged that the results of this study will provide contractors operating in such environments, with the required information which can assist in minimising disruption and therefore, avoiding disputes with the local community members. By consulting with and surveying those most affected, this research will illustrate to on-site management, the difficulties faced by those who accommodate such developments within their living environment.

It has been said that a major disaster effectively condenses a potential 20 years of rebuilding into a few years of reconstruction, presenting inherent environmental and social, impacts and risks (DRM, 2011). The rapid response to reconstruction efforts neccessary can compromise the standard of building and the ability to meet immediate needs. Projects not carefully considered at the outset may neglect the opportunity to improve long-term physical and social community structures. Measures must be in place to ensure that, while aiming to meet reconstruction needs as rapidly as possible, pre-disaster building standards are improved and the risk of re-occurring disaster impacts are reduced through both the physical structures and the capacity of the community who inhabit them. While post-disaster reconstruction offers an opportunity to innovate and improve upon existing building practices, new concepts must be balanced against local skills, cultures, and long-term development (Da Silva, 2010). This form of informed response demands a high quantity of up-to-date and relevant information relating to the post-disaster scenario and the local context, ensuring that a communities' long term, as well as immediate resources and capabilities drive reconstruction efforts, as these will in the end be what sustains them. The paper investigates the justification for a community-driven approach to reconstruction in a post-disaster scenario, exploring how it would address the key issues facing those affected and the limitations that restrict its application. It aims to provide guidance for humanitarian reconstruction actors by exploring a strategy that would ensure that communities are empowered by development of their construction capabilities as well as the physical structures that they inhabit.