Shelter on the Surma Riverbank
How can environmentally driven migration be reduced by implementing a high-density and seasonal-adaptable housing design for the impoverished Hindu and Muslim communities living on the erosion-prone Surma riverbank in Sylhet?
M.M.M. Gerrits (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Nelson Mota – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
L. Cassina – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / AE+T)
A. Paoletti – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
M. Tabassum – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
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Abstract
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated urban areas globally. Due to environmental,
social, political, demographic and economic migration drivers still half a million individuals
are migrating to the urban areas annually. In this research the combination of seasonal
adaptable housing, affordable housing and high-density housing are investigated to reduce
impoverished people from moving to other areas. This research is conducted on the Surma
Riverbank, because while certain hazard-prone regions receive considerable assistance
from the government, erosion-prone areas, such as riverbanks, are often neglected.
Furthermore, the impoverished population living on the riverbanks of Bangladesh faces
significant challenges due land loss caused by erosion, which has left many without secure
housing.
This research aims to investigate the question: “How can environmentally driven migration
be reduced by implementing a high-density and seasonal-adaptable housing design for the
impoverished Hindu and Muslim communities living on the erosion-prone Surma riverbank
in Sylhet?” The methodologies, fieldwork and case studies are used to address this issue and
implemented in an Architectural Design.