Design and Construction of Housing for Flood-Prone Rural Areas

Introduction: The Urgent Need for Flood-Prone Housing

Bangladesh, with its vast network of rivers and low-lying topography, is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world. Each year, floods displace millions and damage thousands of homes. The catastrophic flood of 2004, which left around a million people homeless, exposed the systemic weaknesses in the design and construction of rural housing.

Recognizing this, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in collaboration with CARE Bangladesh, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center (BDPC), BRAC University, and with funding from USAID, produced this handbook. Its goal is to promote cost-effective, technically sound, and community-appropriate flood-resistant housing for vulnerable rural populations.

Chapter 1: Rationale and Housing Vulnerability

This section outlines why a specialized guide is essential:

• Local builders lack technical training – Most rural homes are owner-built or constructed by masons without formal education in structural design.

• Wrong perceptions and uniform approaches – People often apply one-size-fits-all designs regardless of geographic and hydrological context.

• Inadequate housing policy – Existing housing support schemes do not adequately consider flood mitigation or cost-efficiency.

Flood damage is often exacerbated due to:

• Poor foundation placement,

• Low plinth levels,

• Use of perishable materials,

• Lack of structural bracing.

This handbook addresses such vulnerabilities and aims to provide adaptable, community-friendly designs and techniques for flood-prone housing.

Chapter 2: Appropriate Construction Options

This chapter identifies viable solutions for flood-affected areas:

• Elevated Plinths: Raising the foundation above expected flood levels is one of the most effective and low-cost strategies. Earthen plinths can be reinforced with bricks or sandbags.

• Flood Vents and Escape Paths: Houses can be designed to allow water to pass through non-essential sections, reducing pressure and structural collapse.

• Roofing Materials: Using lightweight yet durable materials like corrugated iron sheets helps minimize risk during floods and storms.

• Construction of Toilets and Kitchens: These should also be elevated or constructed using materials that withstand flooding. Sanitation, often neglected, becomes critical in post-disaster periods.

The chapter recommends a modular approach, allowing incremental construction as resources allow, which is more practical for low-income rural populations.

Chapter 3: Bamboo Construction

Bamboo is highlighted as an optimal material due to its abundance, sustainability, and flexibility.

Key considerations for using bamboo in flood-prone housing:

• Selection and Preservation: Mature bamboo must be treated with preservatives (like boric acid or lime) to prevent rot and insect damage.

• Joints and Lashing: Proper jointing methods (like dowels, binding with rope) improve resilience and reduce movement during flooding or high winds.

• Design Innovations: Walls constructed from weaved bamboo mats are cost-effective and provide flexibility against flood pressure.

Drawings and sketches in the handbook show how entire dwellings or key structural elements can be constructed using bamboo.

Chapter 4: Earth Construction

Although earth (mud) is a traditional and cheap building material in Bangladesh, its vulnerability during floods has been a concern.

This chapter suggests ways to stabilize earth construction:

• Cement or lime stabilization improves durability and water resistance.

• Compacted soil blocks can be used instead of plain mud bricks.

• Protective measures like roof overhangs and high plinths help prevent erosion.

Limitations of earth construction include:

• High susceptibility to erosion,

• Need for labor-intensive maintenance,

• Limited lifespan without stabilization.

Yet, when used with appropriate reinforcement techniques, it remains a practical and cost-effective option.

Chapter 5: Innovative and Alternative Methods

This chapter discusses affordable, alternative construction methods used globally and tested in Bangladesh:

• Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB): These are eco-friendly, low-cost, and easier to lay without mortar. Their strength and modularity make them ideal for disaster-prone areas.

• Plastic Drum Foundations: Empty plastic drums filled with sand or soil can serve as buoyant foundations, allowing homes to rise with floodwaters—though this is still experimental.

• Use of Tyres and Recycled Materials: Old car tyres and plastic bottles are being trialed as components in flood barriers and drainage-friendly walls.

The handbook encourages experimenting with locally available materials to develop regionally adapted flood-prone housing prototypes.

Chapter 6: Wider Linkages and Community Involvement

No construction approach is sustainable without community participation and institutional support. This chapter stresses:

• Training Local Masons: Through short skill-building courses, rural craftsmen can incorporate flood-resilient features in their everyday work.

• Role of NGOs and CBOs: Local organizations can support implementation by offering micro-finance, promoting awareness, and connecting households with trained builders.

• Policy Advocacy: Government housing schemes should prioritize resilient housing designs and encourage the use of certified local materials.

It also encourages:

• Post-disaster reconstruction as an opportunity – Instead of rebuilding identical, vulnerable homes, stakeholders should invest in safer, cost-efficient alternatives.

• Adopting new building codes – Integrated into national policy and enforced at the municipal level.

Visual Guidance and Accessibility

The document is rich in illustrations:

• Step-by-step drawings of bamboo structures,

• Diagrams of proper plinth elevation,

• Cutaway views of drainage systems and structural joints,

• Comparative images showing typical vs. resilient housing models.

The language used is intentionally non-technical to help grassroots builders understand and apply the recommendations.

Conclusion: Toward Resilient and Inclusive Rural Housing

This handbook isn’t just a construction guide—it’s a call for transformation. In a country where floods are a yearly reality, housing solutions must be:

• Context-specific,

• Economically feasible,

• Culturally appropriate,

• Technically sound.

The focus on flood-prone housing is not just about building stronger walls—it’s about building resilient communities. By empowering local stakeholders, utilizing traditional wisdom, and applying modern insights, Bangladesh can significantly reduce displacement and housing losses due to floods.

This document sets a powerful precedent for other developing nations facing similar challenges, showcasing how low-cost, locally-driven innovation can serve as the cornerstone of climate resilience.

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