Developing Disaster Resilient Housing in Vietnam: Challenges and Solutions

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Introduction

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   Housing and natural disasters have a significant link in Central Vietnam, the most disaster-prone region of the country, where shelter is considered as the most valuable, but also the most vulnerable asset for local residents. In this country, housing is among the sectors that show the highest exposure to climate and disaster risks (MONRE 2008). Recent debates and discussions (Johnson and Lizarralde 2012; Barenstein 2012; Wardak et al. 2013) have raised increasing concerns towards the efficiency of post-disaster housing towards the resilience of local communities. In the design of housing for low-income vulnerable groups, there is still a large distance between vulnerable communities and built-environment professionals, as well as an absence of specific guidelines for the design of resilient shelter and settlements. This research, therefore, examines the relationship between shelter after disaster and the development of disaster-resilient housing based on the investigation of four case studies of post-disaster housing reconstruction in Central Vietnam. The assessment of the successes and shortcomings of post-disaster housing performed by agencies (donor-built) and people (self-built) allowed the identification of key issues and a design framework for the future development of disaster-resilient housing.

3. Chapter 2. A Review of Contemporary Literature in the Field of Disaster-Resilient Housing

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   The previous chapter presented the background of this research, the main research questions and objectives. These focus on identifying core issues and principles for developing disaster-resilient housing (DRH) through post-disaster housing reconstruction in Central Vietnam. This chapter undertakes a review of relevant literature to identify the research problem and develops a conceptual framework for studying DRH in the international and Vietnam contexts. The literature review identifies five key issues for the development of DRH, as follows:

4. Chapter 3. Research Design

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   The preceding chapter of the literature review has identified three key themes in this book: (i) Community Consultation, (ii) the Role of Built-environment Professionals, and (iii) Design Responses for Resilience. This chapter will outline the research design where the chosen methodology, methods and techniques used to examine and ground these three key themes within the context of Central Vietnam are discussed.

5. Chapter 4. Fieldwork Implementation and Case Studies Overview

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   As mentioned in the last chapter on research design, the case-study approach was applied to explore key issues of delivering disaster-resilient housing in the light of post-disaster housing reconstruction (PDHR). This chapter provides an overview of the fieldwork implementation and the background of four case-study sites based in Central Vietnam: Hoa Hiep Bac, Loc Tri, Ia Broai, and Tan Ninh.

6. Chapter 5. Community Participation, Consultation and Communication

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   This chapter discusses the key findings from the four case studies mentioned in the last chapter in terms of the first theme of this book, Community Participation, Consultation and Communication, in three main sections. The first section is the examination of the consultation and communication forms that emerged from the process of post-disaster housing reconstruction at the case-study sites (Fig. 5.1). The second section is the identification of key stakeholders whose consultative inputs are significant to promoting disaster-resilient housing. The third section focuses on a broader view to examine the need for supportive mechanisms to enable interactive discussions and shared learning dialogues between stakeholders involved in the design, procurement, and construction of local housing.

7. Chapter 6. The Role of Built-Environment Professionals in Building Resilience for Housing

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   This chapter discusses the second theme of this research, the Role of Built-Environment Professionals (BEPs), in the light of the case-study findings. As mentioned in the previous chapter on community consultation and communication, BEPs involved in the provision of post-disaster housing in the case-study areas included three types of professionals; architects, engineers and planners. The role of other professionals, such as landscape architects and building surveyors, is not found in the design and construction process of post-disaster housing in the case studies and, thus, not discussed in this chapter.

8. Chapter 7. Design Responses for Disaster-Resilient Housing

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   The discussion on the role of built-environment professionals, particularly design inputs of architects and engineers, in the previous chapter has pointed out the importance of technical design interventions in achieving disaster-resilient housing. Spatial and structural measures addressed in shelter designs have shown a significant contribution to the reduction of housing vulnerability and the enhancement of living conditions of low-income families. This chapter discusses such measures in the light of the broader field of disaster resilience to further understand how design responses support and bring long-term efficiency for housing.

9. Chapter 8. Design Framework for Disaster-Resilient Housing

   Tuan Anh Tran

   Abstract

   The discussion on the three design responses for resilience (technical, economic, social) in the last chapter indicates that developing disaster-resilient housing goes well beyond only building safer houses in order to strengthen resilience in affected communities. Disaster-resilient housing needs to be viewed in a broader picture where technical issues are integrated with economic, social and environmental dimensions. This chapter therefore develops a Design Framework for disaster-resilient housing to provide a practical reference guide for architects and building designers in generating and shaping design solutions for safe and resilient housing within Central Vietnam. The Design Framework presented in this chapter consists of two main parts:

10. Chapter 9. Conclusion

    Tuan Anh Tran

    Abstract

    As presented in Chap. 1 (Introduction), this book sought to answer the key research question, as below:

11. Backmatter