Petty trade and the private sector in urban reconstruction: learning from Haiti’s post-earthquake Iron Market

Abstract

Port-au-Prince’s iconic Iron Market was reopened the day before the first anniversary of the 2010 earthquake that destroyed the economic and historic heart of Haiti’s capital city. This chapter, based on research undertaken by the author in 2011, highlights the importance and the challenges of directing reconstruction interventions towards rebuilding commerce, improving work environments and involving the private sector. The chapter concludes with a discussion of implications drawn from the research and an identification of lessons for humanitarian agencies and governments with regard to post disaster urban reconstruction.