Planning for Disaster Recovery: Planner Perspectives and Experiences

Problem, research strategy, and findings Scholars and practitioners have long called for more planning leadership in community disaster recovery. Yet, how planners perceive themselves in disaster recovery, understand recovery processes, and participate in recovery activities remains relatively unknown. A survey of APA members found that improvements are needed for the planning field to meet increasing societal disaster needs. Few respondents have participated in pre- or postdisaster recovery planning or see themselves as leaders in recovery. Pre- and postdisaster recovery plans lack broad integration of planning tools that could improve resilience and speed disaster recovery.