Aquatecture submitted by Vinaya Dhone Guided by Prof. Saurabh Paliwal

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Case study
CARE India has carried out an evaluation of post-disaster shelter responses in the wake of various natural disasters since 2001. In one case, after the 2007 floods, 145 small transitional houses incorporating brick plinths and frames, a tiled bamboo roof, bamboo matting walls, a small veranda, and an attached toilet were constructed. These houses were supposed to increase flood resistance by raising the houses on plinths provide a durable frame strong enough to survive flooding and high winds provide a durable and maintainable roof which maintained an acceptable internal environment provide temporary walling that could be maintained or replaced by the occupants and avoid open defecation. They were built by the households with the help of skilled masons, and cash for work and information was provided on safer building practices. Survey respondents felt these eight-year-old transitional shelters were resistant to hazards, especially as a result of the plinth. In addition, the houses were felt to have adequate space (although lacking in private space the quality of material, construction and technical supervision on the project was considered good and the houses were maintainable. However, while they needed less frequent maintenance, it was more expensive, and maintenance had been neglected in many houses. Moreover, the toilets were not in use due to cultural preferences for open defecation. Although all respondents had plans to extend their houses, none Transitional shelter in post-disaster contexts had been able to upgrade or extend them beyond the few who had replaced the bamboo walling with bricks. This was in part due to the expectation that they would be receiving a house from the government. Avoiding relocation meant that people’s livelihoods and schools were still accessible.
Elsewhere in India the use of the words temporary or transitional to describe the provision of shelter
(partly durable construction with high quality materials and partly non-durable construction, devalued
the assistance in the eyes of recipients and risked raising expectations of further assistance to come.
Despite this, the houses have reduced disaster risk and there is clear evidence that households can
gradually upgrade them. However, the needs of the most vulnerable have not been met the limited
number of those supported has caused some divisions in communities the absence of internal partitions
compromised privacy and dignity and the lack of complementary livelihoods assistance has slowed the
pace of recovery and upgrading. In general community engagement with the transitional shelter
programs has been weak.
(# 19 Ref Transitional shelter in post disaster Context)

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• MOBILE AND FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE Architecture solutions for shelter and rebuilding in post-flood disaster situations
(# 20 Ref Kroonenberg, RH, UK)
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There can be no doubt that the potential of demountable and portable buildings for use in post- disaster situations is perceived as areal area for development by those involved in the architectural design and construction world. The reason for this mismatch between the problems of disaster relief and the proposed solutions is that many designers, and the government and other agencies that lead disaster response, have a fundamental misunderstanding of the circumstances that victims experience in a post-disaster situation. This is based on fundamental misconceptions related to the outsiders own experience and not that of the actual victims. Ian Davis, the respected researcher in the field of post-disaster shelter situations has identified these misunderstandings and labelled them as myths incorrect yet striking images that have led relief agencies and their agents to gauge their response on seemingly potent concepts that are unfortunately based on an unverified and inaccurate understanding of the actual situation. Many of these myths surround the response of victims to the disaster in which they are involved, viewpoints often perpetuated if not created, by the media. For example, it is a common and understandable misconception that disaster victims are dazed and helpless, simply waiting for outside aid. It is true there is a short period of shock at their misfortune but very quickly, far more quickly than the authorities can react, they become actively involved in the task of saving lives and property. Another is that people camped out in the wreckage of their home impede reconstruction efforts. In fact, these are the first coherent acts of rebuilding property and community, inhabitants staying close to their belongings to protect them and maintain their personal geographical identity. To respond effectively it is important to understand the nature of the disaster situation. Disaster relief situations can be roughly divided into three types
• natural disasters that have as their source a phenomenon such as extreme weather conditions or geological disturbance
• wartime or postwar disasters that occur as a byproduct of human conflict
• refugee situations which may occur as a result of natural or wartime disaster, escape from famine or plague, or migration for economic reasons.

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