Many disasters and conflicts have recently affected many countries. Each disaster is different, but there are also common parameters for recovery efforts of the built environment.

In 2022 and 2023, large earthquakes directly affected millions of people in Turkey and Afghanistan. In Turkey, more than 100,000 modern concrete structures were heavily damaged or collapsed. In Afghanistan, thousands of vernacular housings made of clay in remote areas were heavily damaged. In Ukraine and Gaza, a challenge is to provide housing recovery for millions of displaced populations in active war zones.

Solutions must be a combination of sociological, financial, political, and cultural means, not just engineering. It is important to consider the unique needs of each community and to develop effective solutions.