Food in floods
Improving food security during monsoon season by optimizing housing conditions and space
C.M. Rarivo (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
R. Varma – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
M.J. Smit – Mentor (TU Delft - Architectural Technology)
M. Tabassum – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
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Abstract
Floods are part of Sylhetis’ daily lives and profoundly influence their lifestyle and overall well-being. Within this context, it is noted in this study that one of the main problems people encounter in the Haors is that: Despite local adaptation strategies to cope with flash floods, the scarcity of space remains a limitation to cultivating crops essential for a balanced diet. This situation prompts the following question: How can we improve food security and dietary diversity while ensuring adequate housing conditions for the local population? To address this inquiry, extensive examination of case studies, scholarly research papers, and field observations has been conducted. Subsequently, an architectural design for a new settlement in the Haor region has been proposed. Prior to this, the agricultural practices and adaptive strategies employed to manage flood conditions are thoroughly analyzed.
In the subsequent section of this paper, careful considerations are made regarding the selection of suitable vegetables and fruits, as well as the size of food storage facilities to be integrated into the settlement design.
In conclusion, it is evident that given the constraints of population density and limited spatial resources within the new settlement, agricultural spaces can produce enough rice for seven days of flash floods, enough vegetables for 12 days in the year, and enough fruits for 20 weeks.