Calle Muller, C and ElZomor, M (2025) The role of disruptive technologies in enhancing disaster response and resilience in low-income communities. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 16(5), pp. 604-619. ISSN 1759-5908
Abstract
Purpose – Disasters triggered by natural hazards significantly damage infrastructure, impede sustainable development and cause injuries, health challenges and loss of life. They disproportionally affect low-income communities due to physical, social and economic inequities. Delayed disaster responses exacerbate these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for efficient disaster response management (DRM). This study aims to explore how disruptive technologies can enhance DRM's efficiency, effectiveness and speed in low-income communities while identifying adoption barriers and feasible technologies for resource-constrained settings. Design/methodology/approach – This study surveyed architecture, engineering and construction experts to investigate how disruptive technologies can enhance DRM, identify adoption barriers and determine feasible technologies. The authors used statistical tests, including Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin, Cronbach's alpha, Bartlett's Test of Sphericity, normality and multicollinearity tests, to validate the sample. Ordered probit regression evaluated the importance of these technologies for DRM in low-income communities. Findings – The results highlight the transformative role of disruptive technologies in expediting disaster response, improving efficiency, increasing safety and strengthening resilience. Cost-effective technologies such as robotics, smartphone applications, social media and geospatial analysis can streamline processes, improve decision-making, mitigate damages, enhance safety and expedite disaster response. Originality/value – Despite the potential of disruptive technologies to enhance DRM, limited research has explored their application in low-income communities. This study addresses this critical gap. This study provides valuable insights for integrating these innovations into DRM, benefiting communities, disaster managers and stakeholders by enhancing efficiency, speed and resilience.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | disaster response management; disruptive technologies; geospatial analysis; information and communication technology; low-income communities; natural hazards; resilience; robotics |
| Index terms: | natural hazard, damages, sustainable development, injury, information and communication technology, manager, statistical test, geospatial analysis, strengthening, decision-making, methodology, disaster response, efficiency, social media, robotics, effectiveness, income |
| Subjects: | technology adoption, computing systems, dispute resolution, statistical analysis, decision analysis, emergency and crisis management, health conditions and diseases, performance management, economic analysis, practitioner, environmental hazards, health safety and environment, automation and robotics, spatial and geospatial analysis, research methods, structural engineering |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Management, Quality Management, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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