Spatio-political (policy) Framework for Rebuilding Post-disaster Communities following Aila

This study explores the role of "permanence" in coastal architecture in rural Bangladesh, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone SIDR (2007) and Cyclone Aila (2009). Despite the use of permanent materials like CI sheets and concrete, post-disaster shelters often remained unoccupied, highlighting a mismatch between material durability and community needs. Through qualitative case studies in the Khulna-Satkhira region, the research reveals that coastal home-making is a dynamic, adaptive process shaped by livelihoods and environmental changes. It argues that true resilience in coastal architecture lies not in permanence, but in embracing ecological impermanence and integrating shelters with the socio-ecological landscape. Challenging conventional notions of resilience, the study advocates for a new evaluation framework that prioritizes the interaction between architecture, community practices, and the evolving coastal environment.

• Research Project