Building back better: Integrated assessment for post-disaster housing configuration mitigation and resilience

The purpose of the study:

The occurrence of natural and man-made disasters is increasing rapidly worldwide. Post-disaster housing projects have been one of the most challenging and controversial responsibilities faced by the impacted countries. In the last 20 years, more than 500 natural disasters per year have been recorded globally. Many of these events led to a major loss of lives as well as properties, making mitigation of natural disaster consequences crucial. Post-disaster housing plays a vital role in disaster risk mitigation and resilience, providing traumatized displaced people with a habitable environment while coping with disaster consequences.

The need for Post-disaster housing is expected to increase in the future due to many reasons such as the impacts of climate change, increased number of conflicts refugees, as well as natural disasters. As Post-disaster housing are usually built after a disaster to quickly accommodate displaced survivors, the construction is usually very fast, and unsustainable methods are frequently used. The Post-disaster housing have significant failures such as their high cost, ignoring of cultural and environmental factors, and long construction time compared to traditional construction. Post-disaster housing projects has been criticized due to requiring large public expenditures, prolonging the permanent housing reconstruction delivery time and cost, involving minimum community participation, and having negative environmental effects.

The aim of this study is to assesses different types of design to build emergency and mid term Post-disaster housing. The study will develop a comparative and comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC ). The energy performances of different types of post-disaster projects will be evaluated via simulation e.g. Rhino, Ladybug, the Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment (IESVE). After the energy/carbon analysis, the cost life cycle was calculated for the three selected types. A simplified multiple-criteria decision approach was then developed to assess the appropriate PDTH technique suitable for the climate in Damascus. The study outcomes will assist with decision-making for post-disaster reconstruction solutions by planning authorities and construction manufacturers. This in turn will play a key role in accelerating the reach of this new technology to post-disaster re-construction. 

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements in Built Environment subject i.e. Civil / Structural Engineering; Architecture / Architectural Technology; Construction project management, Sustainable Built Environment or equivalent.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr. Lina Khaddour (l.khaddour@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.