Spatial Organization Of Temporary Living Units: Typological Differences Through The Case Of Hatay Earthquake

SPACE International Conference, London, UK, July 11–12, 2024.

Keywords: Post-disaster living unit, Emergency shelter, Transitional shelter, Temporary shelter, Progressive shelter, Incremental design.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) categorizes post-earthquake living units into three types: emergency, transitional, and permanent shelters. Tent systems, classified as emergency shelters, are preferred due to their rapid deployability, easy installation, and low cost. However, they are unsuitable for long-term use because they fail under adverse conditions like floods, fires, and extreme weather. Container systems, considered transitional shelters, provide a more secure and comfortable living environment but require a construction process before deployment, posing challenges for timely implementation. The short lifespan of tent cities and the lengthy production process of container systems indicate the necessity for alternative solutions. This study proposes a system that facilitates the transition from emergency to temporary shelters, leveraging the advantages of both. Inspired by Aravena’s ‘incremental design’ principles, the proposed system allows for rapid, low-cost establishment as emergency shelters, with the potential for gradual transformation into temporary and permanent shelters as resources and community involvement increase. By utilizing local labor, the system aims to bring the construction process to the field and establish a bottom-up approach that includes users in the making process. This method enables the rapid establishment of shelters that can evolve into more sustainable living units through incremental upgrades and participatory processes, addressing the urgent need for adaptable post-disaster housing solutions.

Structural increment of the proposed system.

Spatial increment from Unit A to Unit B.