Fernando, L. S.; Kulatunga, U.; Ranadewa, T. and Keraminiyage, K. P. (2026) Accelerating disaster recovery: An agile approach to enhancing community disaster resilience. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 17(2), pp. 181-202. ISSN 1759-5908
Abstract
Purpose – Disasters are inevitable, and their increasing frequency and intensity due to climate change necessitate stronger community disaster resilience (CDR) strategies. The ability to reduce recovery time can be achieved through an agile approach. However, existing research lacks a systematic approach. The purpose of this study is to integrating CDR characteristics with an agile approach to enhance adaptability and efficiency in disaster recovery. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses systematic literature review and meta-analysis to categorise CDR characteristics and analyse their influence on recovery time. The population, intervention, comparison and outcome framework was used to develop a structured search strategy, leading to the selection and analysis of 960 research articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, using tools such as MS Excel, RAW Graphs 2.0, Lucid Chart and VISIO Professional 2021 to visualise findings. Findings – The research identifies seven key CDR dimensions; human, economic, environmental, social, infrastructural, governance and technological resilience. Findings highlight that applying agile principles such as adaptability, stakeholder engagement, continuous improvement and resource optimisation can significantly enhance recovery efficiency. The study provides a novel methodological contribution by integrating agile approaches into CDR, offering a structured framework for disaster management strategies. Originality/value – To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research is among the first to systematically examine the role of agile approach in minimising disaster recovery time. It recommends further empirical validation through case studies and field research, particularly in underrepresented regions like Asia. In addition, leveraging AI-driven data analytics and emerging technologies can enhance real-time resilience strategies, ensuring faster and more effective disaster response and recovery.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agile approach; characteristics; community disaster resilience; recovery time reduction; resilience; technological resilience |
| Index terms: | disaster recovery, validation, disaster management, case study, science, population, adaptability, database, methodology, continuous improvement, qualitative approach, time reduction, meta-analysis, climate change, disaster resilience, efficiency, systematic literature review, disaster response, dimension, recovery, stakeholder engagement, Asia, resource optimization, governance, emerging technology, strategy |
| Subjects: | performance measurement, research methods, community and social dimensions, specialized education, business, professional development, control systems, regions and continents, climate science, emergency and crisis management, demography, innovation and technology management, data collection methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, operations management, financial risk, data management, management, user focus, performance management, research evaluation and metrics |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Geographical Context, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Project Management, Education, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Information Management, Governance, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here