Disaster, Risk and Vulnerablity Conference 2011 School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, India

in association with the

Applied Geoinformatics for Society and Environment, Germany March 1214, 2011

An emergency essential service module for natural disasters

Fahmid Ahmed, Samina Mazumder Tuli and Zebun Nasreen Ahmed
Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Email: fahmid_shishir@yahoo.com, samina123@gmail.com, znahmed@arch.buet.ac.bd

R T I C L E

N F O

B S T R A C T

Keywords natural hazard disaster climate change emergency essential service module cyclone coastal areas local material and technology

Bangladesh is a disaster prone, with frequent natural calamities. Each natural calamity brings with it devastation and an inux of environmental refugees to cities. It was to address the plight of this extremely needy population that it was decided to design an appropriate emergency essential services module that could be used as the base for distributing relief in goods and services when disaster strikes. The idea was that the module could be easily assembled on disaster sites and easily dismantled and stowed away when relief was no longer needed. A research project was initiated to look into appropriate materials and techniques of assembly which would be ecologically and environmentally sustainable, while being affordable and efcient. This paper discusses a method through which this specic problem is approached, rstly by analyzing the work of students of Architecture, who were assigned the project in their academic curriculum, and then by identifying problems and seeking solutions to the gaps. When the solutions are then assigned to specic sites, local conditions, materials, climate and building techniques, they all interact to inuence the ultimate module that would be appropriate for the given site.
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1.1

Introduction
Background and scope of study

Bangladesh is most vulnerable to several natural disasters and every year natural calamities upset peoples lives in some part or other of the country (Coastal zone policy, 2005). The geographical setting of Bangladesh makes the country vulnerable to natural disasters, like oods, cyclones and storm surges, ash oods, riverbank erosion, and landslides. The mountains and hills bordering almost three-fourths of the country, along with the funnel shaped Bay of Bengal in the south, while making the country a meeting place of life-giving monsoon rains, also expose it to the catastrophic ravages of natural disasters (Karim 1993). Its physiographic and river morphology also contributes to recurring disasters. Abnormal rainfall, earthquakes and deforestation in the adjacent Himalayan range add to the disaster situation. In Bangladesh, coastal areas are ecologically sensitive and climatically vulnerable because of the continuous process of erosion and accretion, which needs to be Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference 2011

protected for natural vegetative growth and a forestation. It also contains one of the largest (5000 sq. km) mangrove forests in the world. The area covers over 6.8 million of households in 147 Upazila (Sub-district) along the coastal belt (BBS, 2003), which considered as risk prone. These areas generate substantial environmental refugees every time a natural disaster occurs. A research project was initiated recognizing this natural propensity for disasters in Bangladesh, aiming to directly help environmental refugees. An Emergency Essential Services module is proposed to cope with the immediate aftermaths of natural disasters when vast multitude of population is faced with homelessness having neither food, nor a roof over their heads. The module will serve as sheltered space to distribute emergency services that are essential for theses environmental refugees for survival, viz. facilities like rst aid, medical unit, and unit for dry food/goods storage, relief distribution areas, etc. Of necessity such a module should be built with local material and technology buildable in a very short time with minimum cost. 1

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Conceptually the module would be an immediate solution that can be built overnight when needed and dismantled and stowed away when the need disappears to be available for reuse once again when disaster strikes again. The paper will focus a specic case study cyclone prone site after a design exercise where such a module will be designed as an outcome of this research project. A design exercise is conducted with students which as studio project for understanding the need and process. Real scale model was build for proper understanding. After analysis and synthesis a design module will be proposed according to previous collected information. Forms and functional space suitable for various disasters for particular coastal region in Bangladesh need to study after the design exercise. At the end Design of easy to handle assembly system for the module, including members and joinery.

1.2

Objective of the research

Figure 1. Project 01 of design exercise. (1) Study post-disaster phenomena and immediate needs faced by environmental refugees. (2) Study disaster Bangladesh. management undertaken in

As Bangladesh is a land where disaster management is essential; we need more effective disaster management system in the future. In present scenario Bangladesh is well capable of managing disaster than before in course of time. But with huge population with minimum resource we need more effective and essential disaster management system. The major objectives in this paper are as followings: (1) Understanding the nature of disaster and after disaster need for build an emergency module system. Analysis of the specic coastal area for their specic need. (2) A studio workshop/design exercise for understanding the form, need, material and technology of emergency essential module. (3) The main objectives is to study and search for an emergency essential module for cyclone-affected area with easy buildable material and with local technologies.

(3) Design the module which is easily buildable and constract the module in the original scale with available low cost materials. (4) The overall process will let architecture students test their design, communication, and problem solving skills while providing a service to the community.

2.2

Design of module and analysis

2 Academic approach to the design

2.1 Design exercise
For understanding the need, technology and buildability a student project was introduced in the year 2010 for a design exercise. The project was conducted with third year First semester students as their design exercise which was suppose to build by students with the guidance of studio tutor. This project has been assigned to raise awareness among the students of Architecture about their social responsibilities and about the reality that is faced by a majority of the disadvantaged population of Bangladesh. Emergency Essential Services Module for Environmental Refugees: a hands-on project was named for the project. The students, in groups of six, are expected to: 2011

In the design exercise diversied type of projects were encouraged. In different project different kinds of solution were the outcome with differ technology and materials. It was a design exercise of group of six students and the duration was 3 weeks. In three phases the exercise was conducted. At rst they did some study on disaster management and materials. In the second week they design the projects in small scale to understand the advantages and disadvantages. And in the last phase they build the project in real scale with the help of workshop. Project 01 was the most efcient one among all projects as it was very easy to build and easy to dismantle. Total weight of the structure is only 3 kg and one can carry and install it very easily. Two people can install or dismantle the module in 5 minutes. This structure of the module is made of PVC (poly vinyl chloride) stick and PVC joint. And the group covered the structure with synthetic fabric and xed with nylon rope. The base was made of metal which can anchored is the soft soil easily (Figure 1). The project 02 (Figure 2) was less effective on terms of mobility and takes more time to install. It was rather less stout than the rst one. It was comparatively larger one with PVC pipe with metal joints structure and Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference

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Figure 2. Project 02 of design exercise.

Tarpaulin to cover it. The structure nds difculties to stand against wind which is negative for windy area or cyclone prone area. The Project 03 (three) (Figure 3) was also an interesting with folded structure which can build in different size by adding module. It is also easy to install and dismantle. And it is also a movable structure. The structure is made of aluminum with hinge aluminum joints and covering with light synthetic fabric. The structure also takes minimum time to install and to dismantle. For structural stability the module joints need stronger in this design. The project 04 (four) (Figure 4) is also very interesting in terms of modular design which was made of PVC pipe and metal joints with synthetic fabric or hard polythene cover. This module is multiply to any numbers and it is a freestanding module. The structure is easy to install and to dismantle. The module can be made by anyone with locally available material like bamboo, synthetic fabric, rope and water pipe connector. Project 05 (ve) (Figure 5) was not very successful one in terms of its exibility, stoutness and functionality rather it was a weak project without strong structure and proper shading. The structure was made with paper-pipe and connected with larger paper pipe and covered with synthetic fabric. The attempted was a good one in terms of exploration of different material but the material is also not suitable for water based muddy ground, rain and even structure durability. Project 06 was also explored a different kind of structure with single column and a metal connector. The synthetic cover will work as tension cable for the structure. The structure or frame is made of bamboo. Structurally the emergency module is little unstable and need strong ground to xed it. Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference

Figure 3. Project 03 of design exercise.

2.3

Outcome of design exercise

After the design exercise certain decision can be made for further study and nal module design. 2011

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Figure 4. Project 04 of design exercise.

Figure 5. Project 05 and 06 of design exercise.

The followings are the overview after the design exercise: (1) Structure is an important part for designing the emergency service module. Structure must be strong to stand in the adverse weather. It is preferable to have a free-standing structure for the disaster emergency module. (2) It is very important to make the module with easily available material with simple technology to make multiple number of structure when emergency occur. Structure must be economic for disaster management. (3) Structure should be mobile and easily installed for effective and efcient use of it. The module should be dismountable and with minimum time. The technology should be simple to be installed by any one. (4) The emergency module must be able to perform multiple uses.

droughts and other calamities causing more that 500,000 deaths and leaving serious impacts on quality of life, livelihoods and the economy (Kabir, 2009). In Bangladesh the current situation of post disaster activities is not well organized as expected though in recent time disaster management system is improved in case of saving the human life. There is less connection between the different NGOs and government departments. As a result in some areas people may get relief and some not. Bangladesh is also technologically least developed with large population where illiteracy rate is high and with minimum resources post disaster management system is not well organized. Schools, Colleges, cyclone shelter, Government ofces are now used as cyclone shelters which does not consist any type of proper basic facilities like toilets, water supply, rst aid and even places for keeping the relief goods safely. For proper post disaster management above mentioned points must be addressed where essential emergency module can play a signicant role (Figure 6).

3.2

Selection of the study area

3 Present scenario and selection of site

3.1 Present scenario
Bangladesh is currently ranked as one of the worlds most disaster-prone countries, with 97.1 per cent of its total area and 97.7 per cent of the total population at risk of multiple hazards, including cyclones (Alam & Collin, 2010). The frequency of natural disasters has increased in recent years. Since independence in 1971, the country has endured almost 200 disaster events cyclones, storm surges, oods, tornadoes, earthquakes, 2011

There were some predened priorities for selecting the site: (a) Most cyclone affected area which is affected almost every year, (b) Coastal region, (c) Most vulnerable area, (d) a region that full of natural resources. These above mentioned priorities helps to select the study area Kuakatave in Patuakhali because of following reasons: Kuakata is a coastal area which is vulnerable to natural disaster. This area was having the experiences of cyclones repeatedly for long time. Almost every cyclone that passes Bangladesh the selected area had experienced directly or indirectly damages. Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference

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Figure 6. (A) Relief coming by boat, (B) Cyclone shelter, (C) Distribution of relief, (D) Temporary shelter made by local people. (Source: Daily Star, NewAge, Internet.)

Figure 7. Existing type of structures (building technology) including cyclone shelters.

The selected study site is on the coast which has 18 km beach area. Kuakata is one of the two beaches (other one is in Japan) from where we can see the blood red Sunrise and Sun set (Views on Tourism, 2010). The people lives in Kuakata including the Rakhains (tribal race) are also dependent on the sea for their living. Being shermen for very long time and this made them more experienced in the sea in cyclone (Hasan 2008).

4 Recommendations and conclusion

Bangladesh is a land of natural disasters whether in the form of oods, river erosion, cyclones, drought or earthquakes and the phenomena are growing increasingly frequent in recent times. Climate change is aggravating the phenomenon and making them recur almost every season. This is also an earthquake-prone area, a truth that has alarmingly been brought to the forefront with a series of small earthquakes in the last couple of years. As a developing country Bangladesh is not very equipped with its disaster management, and consequently environmental refugees are increasing in alarming proportion. Architects, as designers of the built environment have a social responsibility towards addressing this situation. In present practice, Architects mainly serve a rich section of society, while a vast majority, in dire need of appropriate technology and knowledge, is deprived of their expertise. The realization is slowly emerging that unless Architects, with their undeniable problem-solving training, engage with society and impart their skills, development will be hampered and the sustainability of the environment will be endangered. As a cyclone effective belt, southern coastal area of Bangladesh is very venerable where disaster management is a major part. Emergency disaster service is a common need in case of Bangladesh where essential service can play an effective role. After preliminary survey, design exercise and selection of specic area for work, the nal phase is to build a module after specic test like structural test, wind test etc. With analysis and synthesis nal module is to design in a specic site with the study of local technology. Through the ndings of design exercise nal design outline is to be nalized. As Bangladesh is a developing country with minimum resources, sustainable post disaster management system is 2011

3.3

Kuakata

Kuakata in Latachapli union (sub-district) under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. At Kuakata there is excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest. Kuakata is one of the rarest places which has the unique beauty of 18 km long and 3.5 km wide and offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment (Views on Tourism). Kuakata is a unique example of co-occurrence of different ecosystems. There are remnants of mangroves in this beach. The line of coconut trees has increased the scenic beauty of this seashore. The nearby Fatra and Gangamati mangrove forests (part of Sundarbans) have enriched the biodiversity of this territory. The tamarisk (Jhou) forests have added more attraction to this beach (Views on Tourism). According to Cyclone Shelter Information Database, Bangladesh the selected area has 13 cyclone shelters. The Kuakata area has a particular type of building due to their specic context. Local technology is also very interesting which can be a good study to build the nal design (Figure 7). Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference

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essential for the country. Bangladesh has many disaster shelters in the coastal areas which are permanent and used as schools in most of the cases. This emergency essential module can be easily built with local technology, which can be moved easily with easy installation and dismantle system. This emergency service will be easily reachable in the remote area and can perform multiple uses. Even after initial service this module can be used as temporary shelters for the homeless people. The nal design will conduct with different multidisciplinary people for effective and efcient outcome with simple technology which will act as a sustainable module for post disaster emergency need.

References
Alam, E and Collins, A E, (2010), Cyclone disaster vulnerability and response experiences in coastal Bangladesh, Disasters, vol 34(4), pp 931954, Blackwell Publishing, USA. BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics), (2003), Population Census 2001, Planning Division Ministry of Planning, Dhaka. Coastal Zone Policy, (2005), Ministry of Water Resources Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Hasan, M T, (2008), Surviving Cyclones: The Indigenous Wisdom Unnayan Onneshan, Dhaka. Kabir, R, (2009), Post-Cyclone Sidr Family Shelter Construction in Bangladesh: Documentation of Plans and Processes, Shelter Working Group, Bangladesh, 2007 2009, UNDP . Karim, N, (1995), Disasters in Bangladesh, Natural Hazards, vol 11, pp 247258, Kluwer Academic, Netherlands. Views On Tourism, (2010), http://www.viewsontourism. info/2010/kuakata-biodiversity/. Website accessed on 11/11/2010.

Acknowledgements
Special acknowledgement to Associate Professor Shamim Ara Hasan, Assistant Professor Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad & students of batch 06 from Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University oaf Engineering and Technology (BUET).

2011

Disaster Risk Vulnerablity Conference