Social sustainable model for designing post-disaster emergency shelters

Shelter has been one of the most fundamental needs throughout human existence. This need has evolved and changed shape over the centuries, but the underlying truth that the space shapes the human as much as the human shapes the space has remained the same. The complex relationship between mankind and the art of building, incorporating the understanding of sustainability that includes future generations as users, has merged. Along with this ongoing understanding, the concept of social sustainability has begun to be discussed in the literature. Disasters, a natural phenomenon, create adverse effects on humans and human settlements. In the aftermath of a disaster, along with significant issues such as health, clean water, and food, the problem of shelter also becomes critically important. It is known that the tent-type temporary shelters used by international aid organizations create major problems and are not sustainable. For post-disaster interventions and recovery efforts to be sustainable, it is essential to research the necessity of making this shelter need, which has a critical relationship with the user, socially sustainable. However, due to the qualitative nature of defining social sustainability and the relative nature of its measurability, it is observed that designers are unable to evaluate the social sustainability of their designs due to this gap in the literature. Based on this, the aim of this thesis is to present a model that facilitates the measurement of social sustainability in designs intended to meet the fundamental need for shelter in emergency shelters after disasters, and that provides guidance to designers. This thesis examines the integration of social sustainability into the design of post-disaster emergency shelters, addressing an urgent need for shelter solutions that go beyond mere physical safety to support the well-being and resilience of displaced populations. Given the inclusive and multifaceted nature of social sustainability, this thesis also aims to identify key indicators that should be incorporated into shelter design, propose a model for socially sustainable shelters, and develop a framework for measuring social sustainability effectively within this context. The study proposed a model for socially sustainable emergency shelters that emphasizes these key indicators and offers strategies to address them. To quantify social sustainability in shelter design, the research developed a measurement framework based on the Social Sustainability Checklist, enhanced by the AHP method. The framework's effectiveness was demonstrated by applying it to the five shelter models, which underscored the variability in social sustainability performance across different designs. Furthermore, the thesis underscores the critical importance of social sustainability in emergency shelter design, offering a framework that can guide the development of more supportive and resilient shelter solutions. By addressing the key indicators identified and integrating measurable criteria, the proposed model provides a pathway for future research and practice. This approach not only meets the immediate physical needs of displaced populations but also fosters a supportive social environment, enhancing community resilience and quality of life in post-disaster contexts. Keywords: Social sustainability, post-disaster, emergency shelter design