PAUC | Between emergency and recovery: Community Shelter Solutions

Natural disasters leave entire communities without homes. The period between emergency and recovery creates a critical "twilight zone" where displaced people need more than just temporary shelter - they need solutions that address social, psychological, and environmental needs while navigating complex terrain and infrastructure limitations.

This research focuses on developing a holistic decision support tool that helps authorities identify suitable locations and select appropriate temporary housing solutions following disasters. Using GIS-based algorithms, the tool analyzes terrain characteristics, aftershock patterns, and existing infrastructure to determine optimal sites for emergency settlements. By integrating case studies from Israel and around the world, the team created a systematic methodology that considers not only technical requirements but also human, physical, and cultural needs of affected populations. The tool creates a common language between experts, policy makers, and communities while addressing the complex spatial planning challenges of temporary settlements.

This project brings together experts from multiple fields including geology, geography, industrial design, urban planning, humanitarian aid, healthcare, and technology. This interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive analysis of all aspects affecting temporary settlements, from seismic aftershock patterns to community resilience.

Project Partners: Bezalel RDFD, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Lev Jerusalem College of Technology, The Israeli School of Humanitarian Action.