Buildings & Land Use Recovery

The Buildings and Land Use Recovery Sector focuses on restoring the physical environment in a way that supports people, businesses, and the long-term resilience of the community. It brings together local governments, planners, builders, infrastructure operators, and community partners to guide how land is used and how buildings are assessed, repaired, and rebuilt after a disaster.

This sector supports residents, property owners, businesses, and community organizations by enabling safe re-occupancy, identifying temporary housing and land uses, and ensuring that rebuilding aligns with evolving community needs. Over time, it plays a critical role in integrating risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development into recovery decisions.

The guide provides a structured approach to recovery across phases, from rapid damage assessments and expedited permitting in early recovery, to risk-informed rebuilding and long-term land use planning in sustained recovery. It also outlines key operational considerations, including partner coordination, permitting processes, workforce capacity, and decision-making roles, to help communities implement recovery actions efficiently and collaboratively.