grif studies the processes involved in the development of construction and architectural projects. Since 1976 grif conducts this mission based on four main activities: research, education, consulting and networking.

The Development Planning Unit (DPU) is an international centre specialising in academic teaching, research, capacity building and advisory work in the field of urban and regional development, planning, and management. With over 50 years experience, it is concerned with promoting sustainable forms of development, understanding rapid urbanisation and encouraging innovation in the policy, planning and management responses to the economic, social and environmental development of cities and regions, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

The central purpose of the DPU is to strengthen the professional and institutional capacity of governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to deal with the wide range of issues that are emerging at all levels, including post-disaster reconstruction.

The property and project management research programs at the UQ Business School are in collaboration with other universities in Europe, addressing the issue of building and community resilience to natural disasters. The focus is on the procurement and management of physical facilities both pre and post disaster. Current projects include the design of web based information systems to assist in rapid reconstruction, the role of property related disciplines in providing integrated aid and the role of public sector buildings and in particular asset managers in disaster planning.

The Global Studies department is a growing academic unit that aims to train students to be engaged, knowledgeable and responsible citizens of the world, and to develop skills that will allow them to pursue graduate studies, and careers related to global problems of poverty and inequality, the intercultural encounters associated with global integration and migration, and the complex challenges of peace-building. Depending on faculty interest, some courses focus more closely on issues relating to disasters and development and post-disaster reconstruction.

RICS is an independent not-for-profit, professional regulatory body with a public interest mandate. Since 1868, RICS has been setting and regulating the highest standards of excellence and integrity – providing impartial authoritative advice on key issues affecting business, society and governments worldwide. RICS has over 100,000 members operating out of 146 countries. RICS set up its Disaster Management Commission in 2005 with a mission to bring the skills and knowledge of RICS and build environment professionals to strengthen capacity of vulnerable communities to reduce disaster risks and improve post-disaster recovery. The Commission works in partnership with governments, professional/academic institutions, local and international civil society organisations to influence policies and practices.

The World Habitat Research Centre is a centre of competence specialized in interdisciplinary research on environmental, socio-economic, technical and cultural dimensions of the built environment in developing countries. The WHRC deals thus with subjects such as sustainable development, post-disaster reconstruction, water and sanitation, social housing, resettlement, sustainable building technologies, and renewable energy. The WHRC is dedicated to research, consultancies, policy advocacy, education and training in partnership with academic institutions, public and private agencies, NGOs and community organizations. The WHRC collaborates with international organisations such as the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction, the World Bank, FAO, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, KFH, REPIC, Swiss Solidarity, Misereor, and i-Rec, the International Network for Research and Information on Reconstruction. WRHC’s projects are located in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Argentina, Cuba, Haiti, Slovenia, Azerbaijan and Ethiopia.

• to ensure that risk reduction approaches are systematically incorporated into the design of emergency preparedness, response and recovery programmes – in accordance with strategic goal (c) of the Hyogo Framework for Action;
• to promote “Build Back Better“ approaches and supporting the development of enhanced recovery capacity at a regional, national and sub-national level with a particular focus on high-risk low-capacity countries;
• to promote a shared vision amongst IRP Partner Organizations and members of the larger IRP Community of Practice, and a common strategic approach for recovery and risk reduction interventions;
• to serve as an international repository of knowledge and a clearing-house for the development of recovery and risk reduction resource.

The Habitat Group (HG) is a multidisciplinary entity integrated by researchers and academic personnel from several fields (architecture, sociology, engineering, laws, economy) that studies the built environment, habitat’s vulnerability to disasters and climate change adaptation, as well as the resilience process. HG also gives consulting, specialized information and assistance to institutions and local stakeholders in order to achieve risk reduction and resilience management by municipalities and communities.