Fiji is divided into provinces which consist of several  (districts). Each tikina is made of several koro or villages. More than 80 percent of the land is registered by the land owning unit (mataqali / clan) of Indigenous Fijians while the others include State hold, freehold land and leases. In the past decades, an important migration from rural to urban areas has been registered, leading to several squatter settlements located in risk-prone areas. Settlement refers to place of residence on lease, owned land, or at will apart from villages.

Existing housing can be subdivided according to various quality and materials used. Low-cost and/or owner-built houses can be classified into one of the three categories, traditional, transitional or formal housing. The settlement pattern with scattered buildings helping to cut the wind flow reducing the impact on construction. Vegetation belt around the settlement help to reduce the speed of strong winds. A 45° hipped 4-sided configuration of the roof as protection against strong winds. Steep slope of the roof allows rain to shed quickly and away from the house, improving durability of thatching. Few inches eaves reducing uplift and risk of damage to the roof under strong winds. The house elevation on mounds protects from flooding and storm surges. Stones are placed all around the elevated mounds filled with soil to protect from erosion. Strong hardwood corner posts buried sufficiently to resist uplift. Lightweight and rope tying providing ability of the structure to bend and sway without collapse (ductility) during cyclones and earthquakes.