Temporary shelter for flood relief

SHELTERING THE COMMUNITY

The proposal focuses on exploring a viable solution for permanent housing after a natural disaster with an emphasis on community rebuilding in a southern coastal context. Communal places are vital to recovery after such disasters because they serve as a place where the people of the community can gather and provide support or receive support from each other and outside organizations. In current disaster response strategies, establishing shelter immediately after such an event is paramount, while community rebuilding is given secondary importance. Current practices in the aftermath of natural disasters, while well intended, often turn into poor solutions. A "quick-fix" solution to this issue often leaves the community out of the equation, both its members and the sense of community. As a result, there is too much focus on housing and community places are only addressed later in the recovery process.

The recovery strategy is proposed as a series of phases beginning after emergency response has been completed. The role of each phase is to foster the sense of community and to build upon the previous phase. Each intervention considers the importance of communal place, from the organization of temporary housing to the development of the community support centre. Each phase is designed to meet the needs of the community in the various stages of recovery. The overall goal of the strategy is not only to return to a sense of normalcy, but to strengthen the community and create an overall improvement, or an elevated sense of normalcy.

The most important step in phase one is the construction of medical centre. This centre is the anchor of the neighbourhood and is the first step in bringing the community together. In this phase the medical centre would have three major functions as: a distribution centre for goods and information, a hospital to provide medical aid to volunteers and residents - both within and from outside the neighbourhood, and as temporary volunteer housing.

The plan of Phase II builds upon that of Phase I, considering the continual improvement in life quality. The layout and organization of temporary housing is an important consideration in Phase I. The following phases build on the layout module of phase I with increased densities. There are positive and negative aspects of the current models of temporary housing deployment. The group site model solves logistical problems yet is institutional in reality. Two models are proposed that strive to meet logistical needs of housing many people in a given area, while still being focused on a central communal place. This central communal place can be anything from a building, to a communal green space.

RAPID SHELTER DESIGN:

The construction of the shelters can commence on the first day of rescue and rehabilitation. Seven days later phase 1, the rapid shelter, will be completed with 100 units in place. 12'x 6' space for each unit with a private toilet, living space and solar panels will be installed at the time.

All rapid shelters are built next to open spaces with temporary foundation. There is no specific facing direction for it, the shelter can be built wherever they want. This is necessary for the real condition. Normally after disaster, we cannot find a good site. The flexible rapid shelter can fit this kind of site better. In the rapid shelter, there is a living space (that will double as sleeping area at night), toilet, custom size water tank and solar panels.

The biggest advantage that this design has over the traditional large halls and dormitories is PRIVACY. Each family with their own shelter and toilet, has the privacy which is a basic need for a family.

MATERIALS USED:

Materials used are easily available in the country and requires medium to low expertise to construct. One shelter unit requires 5 people and 5 hrs to construct. The proposal is based on the fact that relevant agencies shall provide the basic package including, SIP boards, doors, solar panels and WC's. Other materials like water barrel and such may be procured on site. The WC is an end stage option. Initially the toilet is made from chair/ plastic boxes placed above the organic septic tank.

The ground floor unit is prioritised for women, children and aged population. The first-floor unit is meant for younger population. This unit does not have a toilet attached, instead common toilets are provided for them at close proximity. They however have the rainwater filtering system which will provide them adequate water for drinking, cleaning and washing.

SIP boards are easy to erect and can be joined together using plastic ties or nails. The structural support for the upper unit is provided through prefabricated steel structure that can be assembled on ground.

PLUMBING AND SEWAGE TREATMENT:

The main source of water is rainwater collected from the roof. This is collected in a filtering system made out of water barrel or any large plastic containers. The same container acts as a drum septic tank unit where its perforated and buried underground.