Safe City

Safe City

Assessment of Emergency and Temporary shelters after the 2019 Flood in Aq-Qala Based on User Evaluation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Atoosa Hassani 1
Zoheir Mottaki 2
Morteza Adib 2
1 Architecture, Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Landscape Architecture and Reconstruction, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ispdrc.2024.2035244.1120
Abstract
The occurrence of disasters that damage or destroy homes and create insecurity intensifies the immediate need for shelter until permanent reconstruction is complete. Following the 2019 flood in Aq-Qala, Golestan Province, people sought shelter in two phases: emergency and temporary. This article aims to present the various shelters provided after the flood and analyze them from the perspective of the affected individuals. The researchers gathered necessary information through literature reviews, narrative and semi-structured interviews, and field observations.
The findings reveal that during the emergency phase, people sought shelter by staying with relatives and friends, moving to secondary residences (outside Aq-Qala), residing in communal shelters, government and community camps, and utilizing unaffected parts of their homes. In the temporary shelter phase, they either returned home as floodwaters receded or stayed in communal camps and shelters provided by donors or officials (shelters resembling traditional Turkmen Alachigh). However, each shelter option during both phases fell short in terms of safety and security, socio-cultural adaptation, economic impact, familial needs, health, psychological well-being, climatic suitability, and location appropriateness from the users' perspectives.
These shortcomings led to dissatisfaction and subsequent displacement among the affected individuals. The lack of effective management and planning resulted in wastage of economic resources and ultimately the failure of the shelter provision program in Aq-Qala.

Introduction
Throughout history, humans have consistently endeavored to adapt to floods. However, the vulnerability and perceived threat associated with these events stem from ineffective solutions employed in planning, designing, and constructing built environments. In the aftermath of floods, emergency situations often lead to shelter provision characterized by negligence and oversimplification, thereby posing challenges for survivors.
This article seeks to evaluate the emergency and temporary shelters provided after the 2019 flood in Golestan Province, specifically focusing on the issues encountered by survivors in Aq-Qala. To address these concerns, the article aims to answer the following questions:
• What types of temporary and emergency shelters were offered to the residents of Aq-Qala following the 2019 flood in Golestan Province?
• What challenges did the users of these temporary and emergency shelters face that resulted in their displacement?
Methodology
The objective of this research is to delineate the provision of temporary and emergency shelters, emphasizing their attributes and the circumstances under which they are established. To achieve this, the research employs a methodology that includes literature review, observational tools, and field studies, specifically narrative and semi-structured interviews, to gather pertinent data. The analysis of interview content employs the reflective thematic analysis approach.
Results and discussion
The emergency and temporary shelters provided after the Aq Qala flood were significantly disregarded in terms of economic, familial, socio-cultural, locational, health, safety and security, psychological, and climatic considerations. The most notable consequence of neglecting these critical aspects in the design, provision, and planning of temporary and emergency shelters, whether intentional or unintentional, was the involuntary displacement of disaster survivors across various shelter types.

In designing, providing, and planning temporary and emergency shelters, it is crucial to address economic concerns, such as preventing financial burdens on others, safeguarding individuals' properties and assets, and meeting their post-disaster needs. Additionally, ensuring that shelter spaces align with community culture is essential for effective provision, design, and planning.

An inadequate and formal approach to Turkmen-style shelters in this disaster exacerbated climatic, socio-cultural, and economic challenges for survivors. Psychological issues arising after disasters were also overlooked in shelter design, provision, and planning. Health considerations were not adequately addressed, which is particularly critical during floods due to water contamination with sewage, damp conditions, and increased risks of infectious and respiratory ailments. Survivors expressed concerns about insufficient security and inappropriate shelter locations provided to them.
Conclusion
This article aims to analyze the various types of housing provided after the 2019 Aq Qala flood from the perspective of the affected people, with the goal of understanding their needs until they can return to their permanent homes. Neglecting these needs, especially considering the extended durations spent in these shelters, not only results in dissatisfaction but also prompts individuals to relocate in search of better living conditions. The failure to address these needs during the flood exacerbated displacement and led to the closure of several camps, compounding economic wastage and program failure.

Examining each shelter type through Ian Davis and colleagues' model reveals significant shortcomings across environmental, psycho-social, institutional-governmental, and economic-livelihood dimensions. These shortcomings categorize the shelters on a spectrum from non-recovery to perpetuating vulnerability. The Oy shelter stands out as the only one that facilitated income generation for women through handicrafts and livelihood recovery. However, this positive outcome was driven by the active participation of women and was not initially a planned objective.
Funding
There is no funding support.

Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.

Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.
Keywords
Emergency Shelter
Temporary Shelter
Flood
Agh-Ghala
Recovery
Subjects
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