Project Summary

Floods significantly disrupt the daily lives of people living in flood-prone areas of our country, typically lasting between 1 to 4 months depending on the location. During these periods, many residents are forced to abandon their homes, seeking refuge on nearby dams or higher ground, facing severe hardships and unimaginable challenges. To alleviate these conditions, there is an urgent need for low-cost, environmentally friendly, sustainable housing solutions for marginalized communities. This requires thoughtful planning, a clear strategy, and dedicated efforts to implement effective solutions. Design Concept and Planning Leveraging local technologies and resources, a blueprint can be developed to address the needs of all family members, including the elderly and children, during floods. The proposed design involves a two-story residential unit on a plot of land measuring 80'-0" by 18'-0" (1440 sq ft or 2 katha). Ground Floor: The ground floor will include a living area (specifically designed for senior members), a barn, spaces for goats and poultry, and a sanitary toilet. Upper Floor: The upper floor will feature three living rooms and two verandas, providing safe and elevated living space during floods. The ground floor and upper floor will be connected by specially designed bamboo stairs. By arranging these units in an orderly manner, a well-structured residential area can be established. Each unit will offer approximately 450 square feet of usable space on the ground floor and 500 square feet on the upper floor. Construction Materials The construction of these housing units will utilize locally available and sustainable materials: Concrete poles Locally treated bamboo Corrugated iron (CI) sheets Essential nuts and bolts Galvanized iron (GI) wire Construction Strategy To ensure flood resilience, the structure will be elevated two feet above the highest floodwater level, supported by concrete poles and chemically treated bamboo scaffolding. The ground floor rooms will be constructed with bamboo poles and reinforced bamboo fencing. The roof will feature bamboo netting for added durability. All furniture will be specially designed to optimize the limited space available, ensuring functionality and comfort. Vision This concept aims to ensure low-cost, sustainable, health-friendly, and eco-friendly housing solutions for flood victims. By integrating local technologies and community involvement, this housing design will provide marginalized communities with the safety, security, and dignity they deserve during flood seasons.