Disaster, relocation, and property

Natural disaster recovery implicates a range of property challenges depending on the context. Property rights underpin use and access rights, meaning unstable property systems can undermine recovery efforts throughout the process. Even where property systems are well-established and maintained, social and economic disparity can be exacerbated by exogenous shocks like natural disaster. This chapter outlines the challenges that property presents for disaster recovery, particularly relocation and displacement, and, conversely, the way natural disaster events can make apparent structural issues within existing property regimes. Disaster recovery can involve grappling with issues, including property informality, relocation and displacement, and differential recovery packages based on land tenure status.