Climatic design

1. Climatic design Aceh, Indonesia, 2007 This workshop will look the importance of understanding how climate variations will impact on planning and design

2. Objectives ! 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

3. The five climatic zones Each group has been allocated one of the five climatic zones, characterised as follows: • 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 Discussion in groups

4. Workshop activities Key point Each group will have 10 minutes to prepare the following three deliverables In your groups discuss and delegate the tasks below: • draw a climate graph that describes the diurnal (daily and nightly) temperature range of your climatic zone • produce a drawing that describes the main design considerations for a family shelter,specific to your designated climate zone • develop a list of suitable NFIs to be supplied to the affected population, specific to your designated climate zone Each group agrees a key point

5. Group 1 key point: hot dry Key point

6. Hot dry: diurnal temperature and shelter Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family 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 increaseheat storage at night • position doors and windows away from prevailing winds Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

7. Hot dry: settlement 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 provideshade from sun • position buildings to protect from prevailing wind and sand storms Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

8. Hot dry: NFIs and construction In hot and dry climates: • 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 comfortat night • NFIs may need protectionfrom rodents and termites while in storage • material selection may be affected by the amount ofwater 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

9. Group 2 key point: hot wet Key point

10. Hot wet: diurnal temperature & shelter Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

11. Hot wet: NFIs Important to consider the effects of moisture on materials: • 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

12. Group 3 key point: temperate Key point

13. Temperate: diurnal temperature & shelter Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter. Temperature (°C) Time (1 year) • 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

14. Temperate: NFIs 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

15. Group 4 key point: cold Key point

16. Cold: diurnal temperature & shelter Below is a summary of diurnal variation in temperature and several key design considerations for a family shelter. Temperature (°C) 0 °C Time (1 year) strong roof to cope with heavy snow loads materials with high thermal mass and added insulation smallwindow will prevent thermal gain in high temperatures and heat loss in low temperatures seal openings to prevent draughts Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) thermal buffer zone dividing large rooms into several smaller rooms using plastic sheeting warm room with stove

17. Cold: NFIs Material planning should reflect prioritiesas temperatures drop 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 clothes blankets clothes blankets shelter mattress wind proofing stove flooring insulation Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) • 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

18. Cold: NFIs Cold climatesmay cause problems in theproduction, transportation and storage of NFIs • 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 Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

19. Group 5 key point: locations at altitude Key point

20. Altitude: diurnal temperature & shelter www.wikipedia.org 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* www.weather.gov * The above data is approximate and may vary across zones

21. 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

22. Bibliography ‘Handbook for Emergencies’(UNHCR, 2007) ‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’(The Sphere Project, 2004) ‘Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations’ (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) ‘Shelter Sector Items’ (IASC ESC, 2009 forthcoming)