This publication is aimed at individuals and institutions aware of the need to integrate reconstruction programs as part of a strategy to achieve the sustainable improvement of the living conditions of populations. The objective of this document is to show the interest, relevance and potential of local materials in at-risk situations but also and particularly to demonstrate that ignoring or banning the use of local materials and their associated know-how, as part of reconstruction, risk prevention and management or development projects, inevitably leads to even more vulnerable and dependent affected (or likely to be affected) populations. Beyond housing reconstruction, the idea is to implement sustainable conditions for better prevention and risk preparedness, for and by local populations, by taking into account and valorizing their knowledge and know-how: their own building culture. Through the organization of seminars and international meetings, and with the proliferation of operational partnerships in the field, our team was able to begin structuring the knowledge in the field. This document is therefore intended to present the conclusions of a shared reflection process. The theoretical and methodological elements proposed are illustrated by case studies of several recent initiatives, reflecting the different approaches developed and their results. This document does not provide instructions to be followed, but is intended as a basis for reflection. It opens new doors into more effective programs of reconstruction and prevention in high-risk areas