Economic recovery and vulnerable communities’ resilience: insights from two case studies in Mexico

Abstract

Most strategies developed to support recovery in the aftermath of disasters tend to address psychological, social, economic, and infrastructure issues separately. Drawing upon literature, authors agree on three key aspects for disaster recovery: stronger linkages among different aspects of recovery (economic, cultural, and built environment); creation of strategies for effective recovery of local economies from disasters; and application of long-term programs to reduce formal and informal economies vulnerability. This paper, through a thorough analysis of two municipalities in Mexico, after September 2017 earthquakes, aims to explore and discuss the economic and built environment recoveries of vulnerable communities in post-disaster processes. The research interest stands within the relationship between the reactivation of local economies and the rebuilding of urban built environment. For this, the research design is framed around desk review of documents along with interviews that address the current condition of the local economy. Results show how, in both cases, communities are resilient enough to find their own ways into reactivating their cultural and socio-economic activities, through the self-construction of businesses. Even though institutions are collaborating in the reconstruction, this does not necessarily make an impact on economic recovery. This paper contributes to the awareness of the need of a holistic approach based on the communities’ necessities.