A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh

Abstract Bangladesh's geography renders it vulnerable to cyclones. The most severe cyclone occurred in 1970, resulting in severe damages and over 300 000 deaths. The government has implemented cyclone disaster mitigation primarily by providing cyclone shelters. Recently, BRAC University propose...

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Main Authors: Mari Miyaji, Kenji Okazaki, Chiho Ochiai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-10-01
Series:Japan Architectural Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12177
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author Mari Miyaji
Kenji Okazaki
Chiho Ochiai
author_facet Mari Miyaji
Kenji Okazaki
Chiho Ochiai
author_sort Mari Miyaji
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bangladesh's geography renders it vulnerable to cyclones. The most severe cyclone occurred in 1970, resulting in severe damages and over 300 000 deaths. The government has implemented cyclone disaster mitigation primarily by providing cyclone shelters. Recently, BRAC University proposed a new type of cyclone shelter, the house‐shaped “mini‐shelter.” This study aims to contribute to the government's cyclone mitigation schemes, especially regarding the appropriate utilization and construction of cyclone shelters that can be used throughout cyclone‐prone areas. Investigations in two cyclone‐affected areas reveals that cyclone shelters, which are intended for a few hours of occupation during inundation, function as temporary living quarters during post‐cyclone reconstruction. Moreover, most cyclone shelters are elementary schools, and their storage and staff rooms may be locked during cyclones owing to poor management, which complicates their use as evacuation centers or temporary post‐cyclone living quarters. The “mini‐shelters” can be used as both evacuation centers and livestock storage during cyclones. Although locals doubt the buildings' safety because the wooden second floor is too low for protecting against storm surges, “mini‐shelters” can be useful in remote coastal areas with limited space for cyclone shelters. Hence, a combination of these cyclone shelter types affords a holistic solution to cyclone disaster mitigation.
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spelling doaj-art-797fefe99aba47e292804ac45e52628e2025-08-20T03:29:39ZengWileyJapan Architectural Review2475-88762020-10-013459060010.1002/2475-8876.12177A study on the use of cyclone shelters in BangladeshMari Miyaji0Kenji Okazaki1Chiho Ochiai2Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies Kyoto University Kyoto‐shi Kyoto JapanGraduate School of Global Environmental Studies Kyoto University Kyoto‐shi Kyoto JapanGraduate School of Global Environmental Studies Kyoto University Kyoto‐shi Kyoto JapanAbstract Bangladesh's geography renders it vulnerable to cyclones. The most severe cyclone occurred in 1970, resulting in severe damages and over 300 000 deaths. The government has implemented cyclone disaster mitigation primarily by providing cyclone shelters. Recently, BRAC University proposed a new type of cyclone shelter, the house‐shaped “mini‐shelter.” This study aims to contribute to the government's cyclone mitigation schemes, especially regarding the appropriate utilization and construction of cyclone shelters that can be used throughout cyclone‐prone areas. Investigations in two cyclone‐affected areas reveals that cyclone shelters, which are intended for a few hours of occupation during inundation, function as temporary living quarters during post‐cyclone reconstruction. Moreover, most cyclone shelters are elementary schools, and their storage and staff rooms may be locked during cyclones owing to poor management, which complicates their use as evacuation centers or temporary post‐cyclone living quarters. The “mini‐shelters” can be used as both evacuation centers and livestock storage during cyclones. Although locals doubt the buildings' safety because the wooden second floor is too low for protecting against storm surges, “mini‐shelters” can be useful in remote coastal areas with limited space for cyclone shelters. Hence, a combination of these cyclone shelter types affords a holistic solution to cyclone disaster mitigation.https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12177Bangladeshcyclone shelterhouse‐shaped shelterrefugee life
spellingShingle Mari Miyaji
Kenji Okazaki
Chiho Ochiai
A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
Japan Architectural Review
Bangladesh
cyclone shelter
house‐shaped shelter
refugee life
title A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
title_full A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
title_fullStr A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
title_full_unstemmed A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
title_short A study on the use of cyclone shelters in Bangladesh
title_sort study on the use of cyclone shelters in bangladesh
topic Bangladesh
cyclone shelter
house‐shaped shelter
refugee life
url https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12177
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AT kenjiokazaki studyontheuseofcyclonesheltersinbangladesh
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