ABSTRACT
Housing and settlement reconstruction forms one of, if not the most important part of post-disaster recovery processes. Despite this importance, governments and humanitarian organizations have often struggled to provide timely, cost-effective, and appropriate housing after disasters. This has led to significant research outlining contexts and cases in which housing and settlement reconstruction has been successfully, or unsuccessfully, implemented. In this chapter, we review this body of research and outline best practices, key considerations, and implementation challenges for housing and settlement reconstruction, including temporary and transitional shelter, permanent housing reconstruction, and resettlement programs, primarily in a developing country context. Each disaster is contextually different, so there is not necessarily one ‘best’ approach in all cases. However, careful consideration of lessons learned, general best practices, and inclusive, participatory approaches can help to inform the recovery process and ensure that housing and settlement reconstruction meets the needs of disaster-affected households.
