A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE EVOLUTION AND ADVANCES IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES, THEORETICAL MODELS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Disaster management has evolved from a reactive model of post‐event relief to a proactive, multifaceted discipline that integrates risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery. This paper provides an exhaustive examination of this evolution—from the early days when governments responded ad hoc to catastrophic events, to the development of coordinated national and global frameworks aimed at mitigating disaster impact. The domain of disaster management, which subsumes emergency management and risk reduction, is investigated through the lens of how researchers and practitioners conceptualize the field, the evolution of its measurement systems, and the development of theoretical models. In reviewing over a century of research literature, we explore historical turning points, such as the establishment of civil defence, the post–World War II era of reconstruction and preparedness, and the paradigm shifts associated with the Yokohama, Hyogo, and Sendai frameworks. We further discuss notable models—including the four-phase disaster cycle, structural models from a public policy perspective, and recent approaches through complex adaptive systems—and the measurement frameworks (e.g., vulnerability indices and risk–exposure models) that underpin current practice. The paper also identifies key contributions from multidisciplinary research spanning geography, engineering, public policy, sociology, economics, and environmental studies. Critical knowledge and research gaps are highlighted, and future directions are posited for integrating regional nuances with global standards. Furthermore, the paper examines the evolution of regional and country-wise models, particularly the contributions from the United States, Japan, India, and other nations with unique hazard profiles, and appraises the role of scholarly journals in disseminating disaster management research. The implications of this synthesis are discussed in terms of policy, practice, and future research avenues in the increasingly complex and interdependent world of disaster risk reduction.