The final shelter has been dubbed ‘Mazaki’, which means ‘home’ in Swahili, and has been designed to cope with changing temperatures in different locations.
It uses a frame that can be built and extended to adapt to changing needs on site, with unskilled labourers able to assemble it within seven days using locally available materials. It can be organised into a semi-circular shape for larger families or social groups.
A prototype has already been constructed in South Africa, following details research into its design and its structure includes water harvesting capability and easy sewage collection.
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Project leaders now hope it can be replicated on a bigger scale to support the huge number of people forced to flee their home because of natural or man-made disasters.
In 2020, around 80 million people had to do so according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Situations such as Palestine, the war in Ukraine and others have also led to further displacements over the last couple of years.
Ahmad Eltaweel, Research Fellow at Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment, said: “Unfortunately shelters at temporary accommodation sites often turn into slum dwellings within weeks.
“The Makazi design aims to prevent this, as it would create a network of modular flexible homes based around the social and living needs of those using them.
“It would provide people who have been displaced through disasters a place to alleviate their distress and uncertainty – while also being affordable, durable and sustainable.
“They also offer a potential option of low-cost housing for people who urgently need a home for longer periods of time.
“Temporary shelters have received little research attention, and we believe this work has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by displacement.
“Our hope would be that this could be deployed at scale on the ground and make a real difference to people facing crisis.”
The three-year project, entitled SHELTERs, has been funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and involved partners at the University of Cape Town, Mutah University and the University of Kwazuli-Natal. The project is due to conclude this month.
Researchers analysed seasonal weather patterns in locations such as South Africa, Kenya, and Jordan, to work out how best to make a shelter which maintained a comfortable temperature for those inside.
