Rereading the 1990 Rudbar-Manjil Earthquake Recovery through Oral Historical Narratives

Iran is one of the most hazard-prone and vulnerable countries to disasters, with recurrent earthquakes causing severe human and economic losses. Yet, recovery has often been shaped by emergency-driven decisions, inadequate documentation, and weak institutional memory. The 1990 Rudbar-Manjil earthquake, the first major disaster to occur after the Islamic Revolution, marked a turning point in disaster management and reconstruction history. While significant, most existing studies have centered on official perspectives, overlooking the lived experiences of affected populations and practitioners. This study addresses that gap by revisiting the earthquake through oral history to preserve intangible heritage and extract lessons for future recovery. Using a qualitative approach, 63 semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials, decision-makers, and residents between July 2021 and February 2022. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify participants until data saturation was achieved. Transcriptions were systematically coded and thematically analyzed. This process produced a multi-perspective narrative of recovery, revealing both achievements and enduring challenges across institutional, social, and community dimensions. The Rudbar–Manjil case shows that durable disaster recovery depends on preparedness, effective governance, and community engagement. Preparedness requires pre-disaster frameworks and a process-oriented approach linking response and recovery. Strong governance relies on streamlined, transparent institutions, inter-agency coordination, and systematic information management. Embedding risk reduction throughout recovery ensures sustainability. Ultimately, community involvement is crucial: striking a balance between local participation and technical oversight enhances legitimacy and resilience. Addressing technical, institutional, and social dimensions together creates more effective and enduring recovery outcomes.