When Diverse Norms Meet Weak Plans: The Organizational Dynamics of Urban Rubble Clearance in Post‐Earthquake Haiti

Abstract

In the face of rapid global urbanization, cities are increasingly at risk from major disasters. While considerable attention has been given to other aspects of urban post‐disaster recovery, less has been dedicated to rubble clearance. This article examines the dynamics of rubble clearance through a study of how the diverse organizations responding to the 2010 Haiti earthquake addressed this issue in Port‐au‐Prince. It draws on interviews with 52 organizations spanning the range of organizational types engaged in recovery efforts. Building on an evaluation of rubble clearance plans developed for other seismically at‐risk cities, the results indicate that organizations in Port‐au‐Prince lacked a shared understanding of who should coordinate, and engage in, this vital activity. The diverse organizations involved in recovery brought widely diverging norms concerning rubble clearance to a context with weak plans in place for this task. The outcome was uncoordinated action and slow progress. The article draws on the literature on interorganizational norms to contextualize its findings from Port‐au‐Prince. It concludes by arguing for efforts to generate new, shared norms concerning who should lead urban rubble clearance and, in particular, for greater support for, and deference to, local plans around this issue. Such plans would enable governments to establish robust protocols to coordinate action on this increasingly important challenge for cities.

A systematic review of recent developments in disaster waste management

“…Moreover, Brown et al (2011b) contended that the roles and responsibilities of organizations were unclear as a result of the temporary establishment of coordination, especially when the pre-disaster plan was absent. A similar viewpoint was presented by Hooper (2019) who stated that the establishment of professional organization was necessary.…”

“…Regarding organizational aspects, 'coordination' was identified as a critical factor in achieving successful management of disaster wastes (Domingo and Luo, 2017;Hooper, 2019). However, there were no detailed directives of ways to establish the needed coordination.…”

“…Based on the studies of Brown et al (2011a), Karunasena et al (2012), Kawamoto and Kim (2016) and Aoki (2018), government, the private sector and the communities are critical actors which influence the effectiveness of DWM. However, due to diverse norms, weak plans, lack of awareness regarding low level of trust (Hooper, 2019;Kawamoto and Kim, 2016;Aoki, 2018;Domingo and Luo, 2017), the effective coordinated network is hard to establish. Additionally, coordination mechanisms with regard to procurement, inventory, transportation and maintenance are often weak or totally absent.…”

Urban Planning and Disasters: A Systematic Review PRISMA

“…Apesar das limitações, é entendido como peça central na relação com risco de desastre. Ariyanti et al, 2020;Awad;Dali;Nordin, 2020;Berke Et Al., 2021;Chu, 2016;Chu;Anguelovski;Carmin, 2015;Desouza;Flanery, 2013;Echendu;Georgeou, 2021;Gonzalez-Mathiesen;March, 2018;Hooper, 2018;Jacobs, 2019;Johnson;Blackburn, 2014;Kim;Rowe, 2013;Leon;March, 2016;Ludwig;Mattedi;Avila, 2020;Maes et al, 2018;Manda, 2014;Maynard et al, 2017;Myers;Walz;Jumbe, 2020;Nikuze et al, 2019;Scitaroci et al, 2021;Thompson, 2012;Yang, 2019. Participação Comunidades desempenham papel ativo na fase de resposta, o entendimento atual é que esses saberes devem ser incluídos no planejamento por meio da governança participativa.…”

Disaster Planning Across Scales: Lessons from Post-Earthquake Rubble Management in Oaxaca, Mexico

“…8 Despite being recognized as a significant global challenge, few plans exist that address post-disaster waste or rubble management. 9 As Brown et al explain, this happens because "financial, technical and expert resources Dení López, Michael Hooper…”