An owner-driven reconstruction in Bihar

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify "key processes" during the owner-driven reconstruction (ODR) process, by implementing agencies, to enhance the long-term disaster-resilience of housing and community. Design/methodology/approach - A mixed methods methodology and "case-study" approach is adopted to compare good practice reconstruction projects in India in the past 15 years. This paper discusses investigations conducted in two settlements of Bihar - Orlaha and Puraini, after major flooding in 2008. The sites were visited during 2012 and 2014. Findings - One of the key processes that lead to the success of the ODR process and its effect on the long-term disaster-resilience in Bihar is community mobilisation, which functions primarily as an information and communication device promoting the success (or otherwise) of the reconstruction process. Originality/value - The findings are based on empirical evidence gathered during in-field investigations and interviews to post-disaster reconstructed villages. While these findings represent a snapshot of diverse and complex disaster experiences in the Indian context, the comparison offers insight on how to turn the rhetoric surrounding "owner-driven" or "built back better" into positive long-term community outcomes.