Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Climatic design

This workshop will look the importance of understanding how climate variations will impact on planning and design

Aceh, Indonesia, 2007

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

The key learning objectives of this workshop are:

1. Presentation: defining the five climatic zones and making appropriate choices in climatic design and NFI selection

2. Workshop: settlement, shelter and NFIs in each of the five

climatic zones:

• hot dry • hot wet • temperate

• cold

• locations at high altitude

Objectives

!

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Group 1: hot dry - temperature will vary from high daytime temperatures to low night-time temperatures

Group 2: hot wet - temperature will remain constantly high throughout the year but precipitation levels will increase dramatically during the rainy seasons

Group 3: temperate - seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation, extreme temperatures are unusual

Group 4: cold - temperatures remain low throughout the year, or over winter only, often falling below zero

Group 5: locations at high altitude – temperatures are very low during winter but may rise considerably in summer

The five climatic zones

Each group has been allocated one of the five climatic zones, characterised as follows:

Discussionin groups

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Workshop activities

A. draw a climate graph that describes the diurnal (daily and nightly) temperature range of your climatic zone

B. produce a drawing that describes the main design considerations for a family shelter, specific to your designated climate zone

C. develop a list of suitable NFIs to be supplied to the affected population, specific to your designated climate zone

Each group will have 10 minutes to prepare the following three deliverables

In your groups discuss and delegate the tasks below:

Key point

Each group agrees a key point

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Key point

Group 1 key point: hot dry

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Hot dry: diurnal temperature and shelter

Daytime

Temperature (°C)

Time (24 hours)

• small windows to prevent high solar gain during the day and heat loss at night

• insulating earth roofs provide thermal mass while thatched roofs insulate through the creation of an air chamber

• thick walls will reduce heat gain during the day and increase heat storage at night

• position doors and windows away from prevailing winds

Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter.

Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Outdoor spaces are likely to be used for activities such as cooking and washing.

Planning of outside space should be given as much consideration as the design and planning of shelter

• design and orientate external spaces to suit traditional use patterns, such as cooking

• an enclosed settlement plan will help to provide shade and protect from prevailing winds

• narrow street provide shade

• high thermal mass will minimise heat gain

• avoid removing trees and position buildings to provide shade from sun

• position buildings to protect from prevailing wind and sand storms

Hot dry: settlementTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

• consider the environmental impacts of harvesting construction materials such as timber and thatch

• variations in day and night temperatures may increase the need for household NFIs such as blankets and mattresses to improve the occupants thermal comfort at night

• NFIs may need protection from rodents and termites while in storage

• material selection may be affected by the amount of water required for their use in construction

• when using sheeting roofs, such as plastic or CGI, use a double skin with ventilation between to minimise heat radiation

• high afternoon temperatures may influence working times

In hot and dry climates:

Hot dry: NFIs and constructionTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Key point

Group 2 key point: hot wet

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Hot wet: diurnal temperature & shelter

Hot wet

Temperature (°C)

Time (1 year)

• roof has sufficient pitch for water drainage

• surface water drainage

• roof overhang to protect walls

• drains connect to reservoir to harvest rainwater

• footing of walls protected with plaster or tiles

• compacted plinth, with raised floors to protect from flooding

Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter.

Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

• mud bricks will be difficult to produce if moisture levels are too

high and will need protection from rain while drying

• a protective coating must be applied to timber to prevent rotting, which should be detailed to not contact with the ground

• select materials that maximise ventilation

• shelter and household NFIs will need protection from moisture, pests and rodents during storage and transportation

• heavy rain is likely to make the transportation of materials more difficult

Important to consider the effects of moisture on materials:

Hot wet: NFIsTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Key point

Group 3 key point: temperate

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

• protection from rain and flooding

• insulation against hot and cold temperatures

• shading from the sun

• flooring and fly sheet

• stove and fuel

• personal insulation as well as blanket and mattress

Temperate: diurnal temperature & shelter

Temperature (°C)

Time (1 year)

Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter.

Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Consider various climatic conditions including cold, hot and wet

• shelter NFIs supported by household NFIs such as clothing, blankets and fuel to protect from cold temperatures

• shelter and household NFIs will need protection from the cold and wet during storage and transportation

• seasonal climatic variation must be considered when transporting materials, for example transportation will be more difficult in snow and ice

• shelters should be designed, and household NFIs supplied to meet the worst likely weather conditions

Temperate: NFIsTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Key point

Group 4 key point: cold

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Cold: diurnal temperature & shelter

0 °C

Temperature (°C)

Time (1 year)

Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter.

small window will prevent thermal gain in high temperatures and heat loss in low temperatures

materials with high thermal mass and added insulation

thermal buffer zone

warm room with stove

seal openings to prevent draughts

strong roof to cope with heavy snow loads

dividing large rooms into several smaller rooms using plastic sheeting

Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

clothes

blankets

clothes

blankets

shelter

clothes

blankets

shelter

mattress

clothes

blankets

shelter

mattress

wind proofing

clothes

blankets

shelter

mattress

wind proofing

stove

clothes

blankets

shelter

mattress

wind proofing

stove

flooring

clothes

blankets

shelter

mattress

wind proofing

stove

flooring

insulation

Material planning should reflect priorities as temperatures drop

• the demand for shelter and household NFIs increases as temperature decreases

• if heating or appropriate shelter NFIs are not available, increase the distribution household NFIs, such as clothing and blankets and mattresses

clothes

Cold: NFIsTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

• shelter NFIs may need protecting against the affects of frost and damp during production

• shelter and household NFIs will need protection from the cold during storage and transportation

• heavy snow and ice is likely to make the transportation of materials more difficult

Cold climates may cause problems in the production, transportation and storage of NFIs

Cold: NFIsTransitional Settlement: Displaced Populations(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Key point

Group 5 key point: locations at altitude

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Air temperature in any of the climatic zones will drop in accordance with increased altitude or wind strength

Temperature by altitude* Temperature by wind-chill*

Altitude

(metres)

Air temp

(Celsius)

Sea level 15

600 11

1200 7

1800 3

Wind speed

(km/hour)

Zero C

drops to

15 kph - 3

30 kph - 7

45 kph - 8

60 kph - 9

* The above data is approximate and may vary across zones

Altitude: diurnal temperature & shelterwww.wikipedia.org

www.weather.gov

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Altitude: NFIs

Altitude affects both which NFIs should be distributed and the methods of distribution:

• seasonal accessibility

• distribution of a wider range of NFIs and greater quantities of fuel, as more altitude requires more fuel

• need to choose sheltering responses which are adequate to both very cold and hot climates

Shelter Training 08b – Belgium, 16th–18th November, 2008based on content developed bybased on content developed by

Bibliography

‘Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations’ (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

‘Handbook for Emergencies’ (UNHCR, 2007)

‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’ (The Sphere Project, 2004)

‘Shelter Sector Items’ (IASC ESC, 2009 forthcoming)