Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Applications of Systems Thinking and Soft Operations Research in Managing Complexity pp 143–171Cite as

“Unproblemising” the Technical Complexity of Shelter in Post Disaster Reconstruction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 1777 Accesses

Abstract

The provision of shelter after a disaster is a complex problem that manifests itself in all post disaster contexts. Its intractable and ‘wicked’ nature means that donors and agencies involved in humanitarian aid see it as “easy to get into, but hard to get out of”. There are seemingly no one-off, “silver bullet” solutions and where such “cookie cutter” solutions are applied, their weaknesses soon become apparent to all involved. While most lessons learnt and evaluations have pointed towards better coordination, stronger leadership, more innovation and integration of service delivery there remains little appreciation of the role of technical complexity in resolving the apparently ‘intractable’ problem of shelter provision. This chapter uses a case study approach to identify and propose an approach that is not evident in the current literature. The technical complexity of shelter provision is seemingly relegated out of the decision making. However, the presented case study and experiences from the shelter sector when re-framed suggest another reality; that the technical resolution can untangle parts of its social complexity that can foster solutions that were prior to that considered ‘intractable’. And the idea that ‘engineers have feelings too’. Thus, appropriately addressing the technical aspects releases the social complexity and allows better solutions to be determined for affected communities. This process has been termed ‘unproblemising’ because while technical resolution can release the pressure on the social dimension final resolution ultimately still rests with the social, albeit with a much better fit than would have been otherwise been possible. The appropriate technical resolution is through reflective ‘design’ that is a design not only mindful of the material realities of working in the field usually in a fragile and developing infra-structure but also of the goals and context of a ‘humanitarian’ situation. Consequently, the chapter firmly positions itself between the problem framing to problem solving domain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alexander C, Ishikawa S, Silverstein M, Jacobson M, Fiksdahl-King I, Angel S (1977) A pattern language. Oxford Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • ALNAP (2012) “We’re not in the field anymore” Adapting humanitarian efforts to an urban world. In: 27th meeting of the active learning network for accountability and performance in humanitarian action ALNAP, Chennai, India, 17–18 Jan 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • AusAid (2003) AusGUIDElines. The logical framework approach AusAID updated 20 June 2003, Australian Aid and Development Canberra Australia, p 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Govt (2007) Contemporary government challenges tackling wicked problems. A Public Policy Perspective © Commonwealth of Australia 2007. ISBN 978-0-9803978-4-0

    Google Scholar 

  • Babister L (2014) Extended note: Humanitarian response to Urban crises. Department for International Development DFID 14th UK Shelter Forum 13 Mar 2014. The Meridian House, London. Hosted by save the children and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakewell O, Garbutt A (2005) The use and abuse of the logical framework approach. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SIDA, Nov 2005, p 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandenburger A, Nalebuff B (1999) The right game: use game theory to shape strategy HBR review on managing uncertainty, pp 67–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan-Smith M, Fabbri P (2005) Thematic evaluation on LRRD linking, relief, rehabilitation and development—a review of the debate tsunami evaluation coalition TEC, Nov 2005, p 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke J, Fan L (2014) Humanitarian crises, emergency preparedness and response: the role of business and the private sector Indonesia case study. Humanitarian Policy Group Overseas Development Institute ODI, Feb 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Camillus J (2008) Strategy as a wicked problem. Har Bus Rev 86(5):98

    Google Scholar 

  • CENDEP (2011) HERR and Shelter: implications for practice. Humanitarian Emergency Response Review. Centre for Development and Emergency Practice Oxford Brookes University and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) September 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Clermont C, Sanderson D, Sharma A, Spraos H (2011) Study of member agencies’ responses to the earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, January 2010. Report for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) pp 2 and 23

    Google Scholar 

  • Conklin J (2005) Dialogue mapping: building shared understanding of wicked problem. Wiley Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • da Silva J (2010) Lessons from Aceh: key considerations in post disaster reconstruction. Practical Action Publishing, Warwickshire. ISBN 978-1-85339-700-4

    Google Scholar 

  • DARA (2014) The European consensus on Humanitarian aid: an NGO perspective commissioned by VOICE (It was carried out by DARA, with Ed Schenkenberg as team leader, Marybeth Redheffer as main researcher, and supported by Belén Paley 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Darcy J, Hofman C-A (2003) According to Need? Needs assessment and decision making in the humanitarian sector, HPG report 15, ODI, London, p 22

    Google Scholar 

  • DFID (2011) Humanitarian emergency response review. Department for International Development (DFID), UK

    Google Scholar 

  • EPYPSA (2011) An evaluation of the Haiti earthquake 2010 meeting Shelter needs: issues, achievements and constraints Estudios Proyectos y Planificación S.A for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC Geneva, Dec 2011, pp 35–39

    Google Scholar 

  • ES&NFI (2014a) The national Shelter response plan version 7 June 2014. Report by the Emergency Shelter and Non Food Items Cluster, Kabul

    Google Scholar 

  • ES&NFI (2014b) Shelter guidelines Afghanistan. Transitional Shelter guidelines Afghanistan May 2014. Emergency Shelter and Non Food Item Cluster, Kabul, pp 5–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Frame B (2010) Sustainability technologies 101: HATCHED: wicked problems and other such technical terms Chapter 19. Canterbury Region’s Water Allocation Canterbury New Zealand, Water Board Christchurch, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Grint K (2008) Wicked problems and clumsy solutions: the role of leadership. Clinical leader Vol 1 Number II Dec 2008. The British Association of Medical Practitioners BAMM Stockport, UK. ISSN 1757-3424

    Google Scholar 

  • Groat L, Wang D (2002) Architectural research methods. Wiley, New York, pp 348–350

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi N (2010) The placemakers guide to community building. Earthscan, London. ISBN 978-1-84407-803-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann CA, Roberts L, Shoham J, Harvey P (2004) Measuring the impact of humanitarian aid. A review of current practice (Researched, Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI)

    Google Scholar 

  • IDEO (2015) The field guide to human-centered design by IDEO.org, 1st edn. San Francisco, © 2015. ISBN 978-0-9914063-1-11

    Google Scholar 

  • IFRC (2011) Transitional shelters. Eight designs International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • IFRC (2013) Post-disaster shelter: ten designs International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, pp 13–20

    Google Scholar 

  • IFRC (2014a) Regulatory barriers to providing emergency and transitional shelter after disasters Country case study: Nepal. Nepal Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, pp 19–21

    Google Scholar 

  • IFRC (2014b) The shelter effect video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf2z38u2djA. Accessed May 2015

  • IFRC, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR (2014) Shelter projects 2013–2014. IFRC, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson B (1997) Designing projects and project evaluations using the logical framework approach. IUCN Monitoring and Evaluation Initiative, Oct 1997

    Google Scholar 

  • Jean, I, Bonino, F (2014) Investing in listening: international organization for Migration’s experience with humanitarian feedback mechanisms in Sindh Province’. ALNAP/CDA Case Study, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen G (2010) The logical framework approach. How to guide. Bond for International Development, p 4

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones H (2011) Taking responsibility for complexity when is a policy problem complex, why does it matter, and how can it be tackled? Overseas Development Institute ODI. Briefing Paper 68, Aug 2011. ISSN 0140-8682

    Google Scholar 

  • Kracht S (2008) The Sandbag house; high living comfort, economical and ecological. Sandbag Houses, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine S, Bailey S, Boyer B, Mehu C (2012) Avoiding reality. Land, institutions and humanitarian action in post-earthquake Haiti HPG. Working Paper, Sept 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Mannakkara S, Wilkinson S (2014) Re-conceptualising “Building back better” to improve post-disaster recovery. Int J Manag Proj Bus 7(3)

    Google Scholar 

  • Melles G, Holmlid S, Arvola M (2013) Operationalizing wicked problem solving to create desirable futures: the design agenda

    Google Scholar 

  • NRC (2014) Lessons from Baghdad a shift in approach to urban shelter response. Norwegian Refugee Council, May 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • NYT (2014) US troops to leave Afghanistan by the End of 2016 New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/asia/us-to-complete-afghan-pullout-by-end-of-2016-obama-to-say.html?_r=0. Accessed 31 May 2015

  • OCHA (2011) OCHA and slow-onset emergencies OCHA occasional policy briefing series brief No. 6 policy development and studies branch, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Apr 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • OCHA (2014a) Country emergency report No. 9, 1 June 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • OCHA (2014b) Afghanistan flash floods situation Report No. 8 as of 1800 h (local time) on 22 May 2014. http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-flash-floods-situation-report-no-8-1800h-local-time-22-may-2014. Accessed on 31 May 2015

  • ODI (2014) Can disasters become an opportunity? Building back better in Aceh, Myanmar and Haiti. http://www.odi.org/events/3850-disaster-haiti-haiyan-aceh-myanmar-disaster-recovery. Accessed May 2015

  • Örtengren K (2004) The logical framework approach a summary of the theory behind the LFA method, SIDA, Jan 2004, p 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavanello S (2012) Rethinking the humanitarian response: emerging approaches for engagement in urban crises. Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action ATHA, Apr 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • PCI (1970) Guidelines for teaching logical framework concepts practical concepts incorporated (PCI) 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Suite 200 Washington, DC. 20036

    Google Scholar 

  • Potangaroa R, Santosa H. Wilkinson S (2014) The application of quality of life metrics. In: Masys AJ (ed) Disaster management: enabling resilience. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramalingam B, Scriven K, Foley C (2009) Innovations in international humanitarian action Chapter 3. The active learning network for accountability and performance in Humanitarian Action ALNAP, 8th Review of Humanitarian Action

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramalingam B, Laric M, Primrose J (2014) From best practice to best fit Understanding and navigating wicked problems in international development. Working paper ODI, July 2014, pp 38–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritchey T (2013) Wicked problems modelling social messes with morphological analysis. Acta Morphologica Generalis AMG, vol 2(1), © Swedish Morphological Society. ISSN 2001-2241

    Google Scholar 

  • Rittel H, Webber M (1973) Dilemmas in a general theory of planning policy science, vol 4. Elsevier Scientific Pub, Amsterdam, pp 155–169 (p 159)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts N (2000) Int Publ Manage Rev 1(1):1. Electronic Journal at http://www.ipmr.net © International Public Management Network

  • Sanderson D, Burnell J (2013. Beyond shelter after disaster: practice, process and possibilities. Routledge\Taylor and Francis, Oxon\NY. ISBN 13:978-0-415-81423-2 (also pub in Environmental hazards: human and policy dimensions, vol 10(3–4) July 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson D, Ramalingam B (2015) Nepal earthquake response: lessons for operational agencies. The active learning network for accountability and performance in Humanitarian action ALNAP

    Google Scholar 

  • Seybold P (2013) How to address “wicked problems” use dialogue mapping to build a shared understanding and evolve a group’s thinking, 23 May 2013 (Patricia B. Seybold, CEO & Sr. Consultant, Patricia Seybold Group)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelter Case Studies (2010) Shelter projects 2010. IFRC, UN-HABITAT and UNHCR. Joseph Ashmore, with additional editorial support from Carlo Gherardi, Jim Kennedy and Wan Sophonpanich

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelter Case Studies (2013) Shelter projects 2011–2012. IFRC, UN-HABITAT and UNHCR. Project coordinated by: Esteban Leon (UN–HABITAT), Miguel Urquia (UNHCR), Sandra D’Urzo (IFRC) and Joseph Ashmore

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelter Centre (2010) Literature review for shelter after disaster. FP innovations, Royal Roads University

    Google Scholar 

  • SPHERE (2011) The sphere project, 3rd edn. ISBN 978-1-908176-00-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Spratt J (2011) Is development wicked? Using a wicked problems framework to examine development problems. NZADDs Working Paper, Dec 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • UNHCR (2007) Handbook for emergencies, 3rd edn. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, p 58

    Google Scholar 

  • Wikipedia (2010) 2010 Haiti earthquake. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake. Accessed May 2015

  • Wikipedia (2015) Logical framework approach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_framework_approach. Accessed May 2015

  • Yin RK (2003) Case study research design and methods. In: Robert K (ed) Yin applied social research methods series, vol 5, 3rd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks, p 1

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my wife Florence Leong and those from the field committed to making sense of what we find and especially Charles Lynch but also Yumiko Takshima, Mohammad Haroon, Monica Lwebandiza and Nematullah Khpalwak.

Dedication

To my kid Sister Dianne and her ‘Unproblemising’ struggle with cancer. Some problems I guess just remain ‘wicked’…. no matter what perspective you take or in your case are given.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Architecture, Unitec, Auckland, New Zealand

    Regan Potangaroa

Authors
  1. Regan Potangaroa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Regan Potangaroa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Security Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Anthony J. Masys

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Potangaroa, R. (2016). “Unproblemising” the Technical Complexity of Shelter in Post Disaster Reconstruction. In: Masys, A. (eds) Applications of Systems Thinking and Soft Operations Research in Managing Complexity. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21106-0_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation