Accelerating disaster recovery: an agile approach to enhancing community disaster resilience

Purpose Disasters are inevitable, and their increasing frequency and intensity due to climate change necessitate stronger community disaster resilience (CDR) strategies. The ability to reduce recovery time can be achieved through an agile approach. However, existing research lacks a systematic approach. The purpose of this study is to integrating CDR characteristics with an agile approach to enhance adaptability and efficiency in disaster recovery. Design/methodology/approach This study uses systematic literature review and meta-analysis to categorise CDR characteristics and analyse their influence on recovery time. The population, intervention, comparison and outcome framework was used to develop a structured search strategy, leading to the selection and analysis of 960 research articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, using tools such as MS Excel, RAW Graphs 2.0, Lucid Chart and VISIO Professional 2021 to visualise findings. Findings The research identifies seven key CDR dimensions; human, economic, environmental, social, infrastructural, governance and technological resilience. Findings highlight that applying agile principles such as adaptability, stakeholder engagement, continuous improvement and resource optimisation can significantly enhance recovery efficiency. The study provides a novel methodological contribution by integrating agile approaches into CDR, offering a structured framework for disaster management strategies. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first to systematically examine the role of agile approach in minimising disaster recovery time. It recommends further empirical validation through case studies and field research, particularly in underrepresented regions like Asia. In addition, leveraging AI-driven data analytics and emerging technologies can enhance real-time resilience strategies, ensuring faster and more effective disaster response and recovery.