Development of decision support tools for post-disaster infrastructure reconstruction and recovery: a scoping study

ABSTRACT

A structured decision support system is imperative for guiding implementation of the dynamic and complex Post-disaster infrastructure reconstruction (PDIR) projects. This study attempts to appraise the scientific trend in the development decision support tools (DSTs) for PDIR during the last two decades and scope for future research. A detailed content analysis of literature extracted from online databases is performed to comprehend their objectives, methodologies along with typology and structure of DSTs. An objective analysis of research trend is performed using comprehensive science-mapping tool, ‘Bibliometrix’, followed by synthesizing the adaptability of DSTs in the present context .The scoping study has comprehended the scientific trends on developing DSTs as well as various approaches, methods and tools adopted in the field. The findings also deciphered the emerging research themes corroborating the need to develop better DSTs. The study recognizes potential research gaps in the development of DSTs globally and suggests future research directions.

KEYWORDS:

• Decision support tool
• comprehensive science-mapping
• Bibliometrix
• post-disaster infrastructure reconstruction
• project management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and no additional source data are required.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23789689.2024.2365502

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sherin Greenal

Sherin Greenal is a doctoral candidate in Department of Architecture and Planning, National Institute of technology Calicut, Kerala, India. She holds Master’s degree in Planning (Housing). Her Ph.D. research focuses on post-disaster housing reconstruction strategies for flood affected communities in Kerala.

Shyni Anilkumar

Shyni Anilkumar is assistant professor at the Department of Architecture and Planning, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala India. She holds PhD in disaster management from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India. Her focus in research and teaching is on disaster vulnerability and risk assessment, planning for disaster emergency, post disaster infrastructure reconstruction, disaster resilience of Island settlements, Blue-green infrastructure for urban resilience and the like. She is also doing research in coastal area planning and climate change adaptation.