After the Storm – Competition to design a disaster relief centre , Khulna / Bangladesch

 

UNI competitions - UNIEGIS NETWORK Private Limited, New Delhi

 

DISASTER RESPONSE

Bangladesh is one of the world‘s most disaster-prone nations. Each year over 10 million citizens are affected by various natural disasters. Amidst this population are the particularly sensitive residents of the Sundarbans.

 

The residents of the marshy delta on the Bay of Bengal were prone to cyclones and storms but with mounting environmental challenges and illegal logging of the forest, the dangers of natural disasters have steadily increased. 

 

As a response, the Bangladeshi government has attempted to create more robust and efficient disaster management policies to protect its citizens. Ranging from creating shelters to bolstering technology to analyse and foretell natural disasters the government has set up a comprehensive approach to managing disasters.  

 

Despite significant strides in the field, many residents are still vulnerable and there is a need to further bolster these efforts.

 

EXISTING RELIEF CENTERS

Relief centers are places that bolster disaster recovery efforts. They allow opportunities to store essential supplies, collect assets and people and even may provide emergency shelters. 

 

In countries that are prone to natural disasters, these spaces become essential to support sensitive populations in mounting emergencies. 

 

More often than not these spaces are designed keeping functionality in mind. They are meant for serious and sombre moments in citizens’ lives and they reflect the same. 

 

Yet it is intriguing to note the effect of emergencies and inadequate living conditions, even if only temporary, have more effect on the psychologies of the displaced. 

 

In designing and implementing design relief centers it is thus pertinent for us to address not just functionality but also create spaces that support holistic mental well being.

 

DESIGNING FOR RELIEF

As our world is faced with increased environmental challenges, natural disasters are slowly becoming more frequent than they once were. This means that populations insensitive nations are also increasingly vulnerable. While countries across the world are working hard towards various solutions to support these populations there is still a considerable way to go. 

 

 

The added challenge here though is that the space must act as a valuable and attractive public space to the population during the relatively peaceful times of the year.

 

In the face of an emergency, the design must be able to transform and act as a functional emergency shelter that can support mental wellbeing via piecemeal architectural interventions within the space.

 

Minimum eligible age for participation is 18 years.

There is no restriction to the degree or design disciplines to participate in the challenge.

Participation in the competition can happen in a team as well as an individual.

There is no restriction to the number of members who can participate in a team.

The challenge is open worldwide for anyone to participate.

 

23 May 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Regular registration ends

24 May 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Submission ends

08 June 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Shortlisted entries announced

14 June 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Jury evaluation starts

08 July 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Jury evaluation ends

09 July 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Public voting ends

21 July 2022, 5:00 PM GMT+02:00 – Result announcement