Journal article
An Exploratory Application of Low-Cost Drone Imagery and an Image Analysis Model to Evaluate Post-Disaster Recovery Progress for Planning Equitable Housing Recoveries Through Dynamic Funding Allocation
Urban science, v 10(4), 199
01 Apr 2026
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
After major disruptive events, particularly natural and human-made disasters, community leaders face the challenge of rebuilding societal infrastructure and managing the allocation of funds, which can affect the duration of recovery periods. Decision-makers must quickly determine how to allocate financial resources while minimizing population distress. Conventional methods of assessing damage and evaluating relief requirements fall short of meeting the urgent recovery needs after a disaster, potentially leading to negative effects on communities, such as involuntary relocation and neighborhood gentrification. The study evaluates current methods and technologies to propose a new approach that leverages low-cost consumer drones and modern image analysis techniques to support initial damage assessments and track recovery progress, thereby promoting the dynamic allocation of limited resources. Using low-cost drone imagery enables rapid, cost-effective data collection and dynamic analysis through iterative reviews during the disaster response and recovery phases that can adjust baseline disaster funding allocations. The study investigates the potential of temporary blue tarp roofs ("blue roofs") as a metric for recovery progress during the 2020 tornado in Middle Tennessee and conducts an R-squared and error analysis. The goal of this research is to evaluate an affordable and efficient data analysis method (e.g., modern image analysis; artificial intelligence; low-cost drones) that can improve post-disaster resource allocation and inform decision-making for governmental and planning officials.
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Details
- Title
- An Exploratory Application of Low-Cost Drone Imagery and an Image Analysis Model to Evaluate Post-Disaster Recovery Progress for Planning Equitable Housing Recoveries Through Dynamic Funding Allocation
- Creators
- Daniel V. Perrucci (Corresponding Author) - Keene State CollegeGerman C. Buitrago - East Carolina UniversityBrady McKay - East Carolina UniversityKathleen Short - Drexel University, Engineering TechnologyChristopher Santos - Keene State College
- Publication Details
- Urban science, v 10(4), 199
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 26
- Grant note
- East Carolina University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Engineering Technology; Construction Management
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001750628200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105038094842
- Other Identifier
- 991022182070604721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Regional & Urban Planning
- Urban Studies