Article

Investigating the Construction of a Post-earthquake Shelter Using the Super Adobe Method in Herat, Afghanistan

Tayebeh Nazarian , Asadullah Movahedi , Shakib Shahabi
    Received
    01 Feb 2024
    Published
    08 Apr 2024

    Abstract

    Earthquakes, as one of the most destructive natural disasters, have always posed significant challenges to humanity. The construction of temporary housing in post-earthquake conditions is very necessary and should be considered as a life-saving measure. To ensure the safety and health of the people affected by the earthquake, it is necessary to provide solutions for cheap, fast, and safe housing. Construction solutions for cheap and fast housing in times of crisis require the use of earthquake-resistant technologies. Among the types of post-earthquake temporary housing, housing construction using Super Adobe is one of the solutions that speed up the construction process and reduce costs. The purpose of this article is to investigate the need and construction of an emergency shelter using the Super Adobe method after the deadly earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan in 2023. The research paradigm is qualitative and comparative methods and logical analysis have been used in it. In the first part, the types of emergency shelters were compared and the construction of emergency shelters using the Super Adobe method in Herat was evaluated. Then 38 samples made in the Sanjab village of Herat were examined. The results of the research show that according to the geographical, economic, social, physical, and rural conditions of the region, the problems and challenges in the preparation of materials, and the construction of earthquake-resistant shelters, the Super Adobe method is the most suitable option for the construction of emergency shelters in this region. The ability to implement in a short time, the use of local materials, compatibility with the rural context, resistance to cold, heat, and climatic conditions of the region, resistance to earthquakes, low cost, and compatibility with sustainable rural development are the main reasons for the compatibility of this plan with the existing post-earthquake conditions.

    Keywords

    Earth bag, Herat, Post-earthquake, Shelter, Super Adobe

    References
    1. [1] Dadashpoor, H., Roshani, S., 2013. Identifying factors affecting the quality of the residential environment in old neighborhoods, Case study: Sangalaj neighborhood in Tehran. 10, 71- 84. Available from: https://www.magiran.com/paper/1226292/
    2. [2] Hill, C.W.L., Jones, T.M., 1992. Stakeholder-agency theory. Journal of Management Studies. (29)2, 131—154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.1992.tb00657.x
    3. [3] Lines, R., Faure Walker J.P., Yore, R., 2022. Progression through emergency and temporary shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing: A longitudinal case study from the 2018 Lombok earthquake, Indonesia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 75, 102959. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.102959
    4. [4] Di Bucci. D., Del Missier, F., Dolce M., et al., 2023. Life satisfaction during temporary housing after an earthquake: Comparing three cases in Italy. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 91, 103697.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103697
    5. [5] Félix, D., Monteiro, D., Branco, J.M., et al., 2015. The role of temporary accommodation buildings for post-disaster housing reconstruction. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. (30)4, 683—699. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-014-9431-4
    6. [6] Johnson, C., Lizarralde, G., Davidson, C., 2010. A systems view of temporary housing projects in post-disaster reconstruction. Construction Management and Economics. (24)4, 367—378.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190600567977
    7. [7] Johnson, C., 2007. Strategic planning for post-disaster temporary housing. Disasters. 31, 435—458.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.01018.x
    8. [8] Nazarian, T., 2015. The common language of sustainable architecture in creating new architectural spaces. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society. 3(2), 47—51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.s.2015030201.20
    9. [9] Johnson, C., 2007. Impacts of prefabricated temporary housing after disasters: 1999 earthquakes in Turkey. Habitat International. 31, 36—52.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2006. 03.002
    10. [10] Johnson, C., 2007. Strategies for the reuse of temporary housing. In I. a. Ruby, urban transformation. Ruby Press: Berlin. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.01018.x
    11. [11] Learning from the Poor [Internet]. Available from: http://www.grif.umontreal.ca/pages/LIZARRALDE_Gonzalo.pdf
    12. [12] Dikmen, N., Elias-Ozkan, S.T., Davidson, C., 2012. Comparison of post-disaster housing procurement methods in rural areas of Turkey. Open House International. 37, 28—39.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-01-2012-B0004
    13. [13] Bedoya, F.G.,2004. Hábitat transitorioy vivienda para emergencias. Tabula Rasa., 145—166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25058/20112742.211
    14. [14] Shelter after Disaster: Guidelines for Assistance [Internet]. Available from: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/shelter-after-disaster-guidelines-assistance
    15. [15] Barakat, S., 2003. Housing reconstruction after conflict and disaster. Overseas Development Institute: London.
    16. [16] Moazzeni Khorasgan, A., Villalobos, M.H., Asadi Eskandar, G., 2023. Sustaining historic cities: An approach using the ideas of landscape and place. Journal of the International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements. 10(1), 320—332.
    17. [17] Davidson, C.H., Johnson, C., Lizarralde, G., et al., 2007. Truths and myths about community participation in post-disaster housing projects. Habitat International. 31, 100—115.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2006.08.003
    18. [18] Design Criteria For Temporary Shelters for Disaster Mitigation in India. Participatory Design and Appropriate Technology for Disaster Reconstruction [Internet]. Available from: http://www.grif.umontreal.ca/observatoire/contenu_pages/6_Gulahane_Gokhale.pdf
    19. [19] Indigenous Knowledge: Disaster Risk Reduction, Policy Note [Internet]. Available from: http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/8853
    20. [20] Garofalo, L., Hill, D., 2008. Prefabricated recovery: Post-disaster housing component production and delivery. Without a Hitch - New Directions in Prefabricated Architecture, lulu.com: Massachusetts. pp. 64—71.
    21. [21] Félix, D, Feio, A., Branco, J. M., et al., 2013. The role of spontaneous construction for post-disaster housing. Structures and architecture: Concepts, applications and challenges. Taylor & Francis Group: London. pp. 937—944.
    22. [22] Omidvar, B., Khoram, M., 2021. Prioritization of Modern Construction Systems in the Post-earthquake Temporary Housing Based on Indigenous Conditions in Iran (Case Study of Markazi Province). JHRE. 40(174), 3-14. Available from: http://jhre.ir/article-1-2187-fa.html
    23. [23] A Short History of Earth bag Building [Internet]. Available from: http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/articles/earthbaghistory.htm
    24. [24] Santos, D.M., Beirão, J.N., 2016. Data collection and construction classification of Super Adobe building. Ciência e Sustentabilidade - CeS 2(2), 208—226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33809/2447-4606.222016208-226
    25. [25] Sandbag Shelter Prototypes: Various Locations Worldwide. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture[Internet]. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/102835156/Sandbag_Shelters_Ira
    26. [26] Map and Database of Probable and Possible Quaternary Faults in Afghanistan [Internet]. Available from: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1103/
    27. [27] Waseem, M., Abdul Lateef, I. A., Sarfraz Khan, W. A., 2019, Seismic hazard assessment of Afghanistan. 23, 217—242.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10950-018-9802-5
    28. [28] Seismotectonic Map of Afghanistan, with Annotated Bibliography, Prepared under the Auspices of the U.S. [Internet]. Available from: https://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/of/2005/1264/
    29. [29] Venkateswarulu, M., Suresh, K., Ashok, G., 2016. Establishment of low cost homes using Super Adobe technology. Environmental Science, Engineering IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering.16, 80—83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9790/1684-16053018083
    30. [30] Earth Architecture and Ceramics, the Sandbag/Super Adobe/Super Block Construction System[Internet]. Availble from: https://earthbagbuilding.com/Testing/superadobe.htm
    31. [31] M 6.3 - 34 km NNW of Herāt, Afghanistan [Internet]. Available from: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000lfn5/executive.
    32. [32] Afghanistan: Flash Update #2 Earthquake in Herat Province, Afghanistan, 8 October 2023 (as of 22.00) [Internet]. Available from: https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-flash-update-2-earthquake-herat-province-afghanistan-8-october-2023-2200
    33. [33] Afghan Earthquakes kill 2,445, Taliban Say, as Deaths Mount [Internet]. Available from: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghanistan-earthquake-death-toll-500-red-crescent-2023-10-08/
    Back to top