Shelter for people in extreme weather: Exploring the options in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s coast is affected by tropical cyclones, which are now exacerbated by climate change in terms of intensity and frequency. Though the death toll from cyclones has decreased significantly through the implementation of the CPP (Cyclone Preparedness Programme), initiated by the Bangladesh Government, the event still disrupts the lives and resources of coastal communities. The primary sector destroyed during a cyclone is coastal communities’ housing, settlements, and livelihoods. During a cyclone, coastal residents must evacuate their homes to a cyclone shelter for temporary refuge, whereas many do not intend to leave their homes and properties. Several initiatives have been undertaken in Bangladesh to provide shelter during cyclones. The common practice of sheltering people is building a “Multipurpose Cyclone Shelter”. Some “Killas” were also constructed to shelter the livestock. After the cyclones of 1970, 1991, SIDR, and Aila, the Bangladesh Government and some NGOs also provided houses to affected people in coastal areas. However, most initiatives in coastal shelter design were not successful enough to provide sustainable shelters, considering both durability and maintenance. Architects in Bangladesh are still searching for the most effective and sustainable solution to provide shelter to the coastal community, considering the devastating cyclone. This paper examines shelter design initiatives by studying existing shelters and proposes alternative solutions to provide shelter to people on the coast of Bangladesh. For the study, examples of shelter design and construction following the devastating cyclones of 1970, 1991, SIDR, and Aila have been analyzed through a literature review and physical survey. A physical survey of some affected areas has been conducted to understand their inherent and indigenous survival mechanism. Based on this study, the research proposes a sustainable solution for sheltering coastal communities.