Sustainability and Restorativeness of Temporary Shelters for Displaced Populations in Western Visayas

Rapid urbanization and escalating climate disasters in the Philippines have exposed critical failures in traditional emergency housing, where "speed-over-substance" temporary shelters frequently compromise ecological sustainability, cultural compatibility, and human dignity. This deficit is highly pronounced in the vulnerable landscape of Western Visayas, where displaced populations are routinely left in overcrowded, climate unsuitable environments. This study aims to address these systemic vulnerabilities by identifying the multi-dimensional sustainability requirements of temporary housing and proposing a viable, restorative architectural design framework tailored to the region. Grounded in systems and vulnerability theories, the study utilized a mixed-methods approach to collect quantitative and qualitative data from disaster-affected residents and key institutional stakeholders. These empirical insights were synthesized into a cross-impact architectural matrix to establish context-sensitive design criteria. Integrating ecological sustainability with psychological restorativeness offers an innovative, scalable, and culturally adaptive paradigm for disaster response. This shift successfully redefines post-disaster interventions, moving from mere "emergency storage" to dignified, resilient environments that foster holistic community recovery. By utilizing indigenous materials, adapting vernacular spatial layouts (bayanihan), and designing against local climatic realities (typhoons, high humidity), the temporary shelter transforms. It ceases to be an alien, institutional imposition and becomes a culturally resonant, environmentally harmonious haven that actively scaffolds a community's psychological and social rebirth.

Architecture, Temporary Shelter, Sustainability, Locally Participatory, Restorative

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