Measuring community disaster resilience using Q-methods: a physical resilience perspective

Purpose Decision-makers, practitioners and community members have a need to assess the disaster resilience of their communities understand own capacities in situations. There is lack consensus among researchers as what means how it can be measured. This paper proposes novel technique achieve stakeholders on definitions, objectives indicators for measuring key dimension (CDR), physical infrastructure (PI). Design/methodology/approach study uses five-step approach utilizing Q-methods contextualize index PI. Interviews, focus groups Q-sorting workshops were conducted develop tool that ranked measures according stakeholder preference. A total 84 participants took part across four countries (United Kingdom, Malaysia, Pakistan Sri Lanka). Findings The initial set 317 was reduced 128 divided into three anticipatory, absorptive restorative. capacity assessment (PI-CAT) then finalized 38 also order importance by participants. Practical implications PI-CAT useful local governments measure resilience. allows confident metrics being used are ones relevant, important meet requirements. Originality/value Q-method helps use appropriate context. identify effective investments will enhance CDR.