Understanding prototype structures for transitional housing for rural flooding: A case study of Rajanpur district, Pakistan

Abstract

The constant flooding, particularly in Rajanpur District, just goes to show that transitional shelters are still one of the grave barriers toward mitigating disasters in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Transitional shelters are temporary ones that serve the affected communities until permanent housing is set up. This has fallen short in meeting minimum requirements of the people. It is not only a logistical gap but a deep gap relating to the safety, dignity, and long-term recovery of the vulnerable. The research identifies that transitional shelter designs, so proposed by existing practices, are generally rejected by the local community due to reasons of cultural irrelevance, lack of space, and poor durability. Although labelled as temporary, these shelters tend to become permanent dwelling units, and their deficiencies become even more difficult to address. It is through interviews with experts and surveys within the communities that one considers the confusion of shelter design with community needs as one of the key barriers to successful disaster recovery. This places the role of transitional shelters in a broader context of disaster management to inform more effective strategies that could support resilience and recovery in the flood-affected regions of Pakistan.