FlexiShelter: Low-Cost Open Prefabrication Shelter System for Flood Affectees in Pakistan

Abstract

In 2022, Pakistan underwent one of the most devastating floods in more than a decade, damaging hundreds of thousands of houses and displacing millions of people. Similar natural disasters are expected in the future as well due to the global climate crisis. The aftermath ofthe flooding and monsoon rains showed a high demand by flood affectees for temporary shelters that adapt to changing climatic conditions in flood zones. Comprehensive market research across industry/retailer catalogs showed an absence ofany products that adequately fulfill this user need. In this project we have conducted direct interviews of various stakeholders (affectees, reliefworkers, district administration, government representatives), as well as employed IDEO methods such as Affinity Diagrams and Empathy Mapping, to better empathize with users and understand the product ecosystem. As a result, we were able to establish important project goals relating to cost restrictions, packaging requirements, assembly needs, and manufacturing capabilities. These project goals served as a framework for the ideation phase to dictate important design decisions. The resulting ideation and development process led to the production of an adaptive shelter that has a long-term impact on how we deal with floods and mitigation ofdamages caused in its aftermath because ofclimatic conditions, disease, and hygienerelated issues.