Exploring the potential of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) in post-disaster housing solutions.

Now more than ever, humankind is currently exposed to a wide range of dangers and catastrophic occurrences. Natural Disasters have grown due to climate change causing suffering for people, in addition to man made catastrophes. As a result, such catastrophes cause enormous losses on a material, social, and financial level. People who are impacted by a disaster have a right to a dignified existence and, consequently, a right to help. All feasible measures should be taken to lessen the human suffering that results from a disaster or a conflict. Measures have been taken primarily by various national and international organisations, mostly military and civil, to overcome the effects of catastrophe or conflict. The most popular approach currently being employed is giving victims refuge in ordinary tents, which do not meet the bare minimum of living conditions. In most cases, what initially starts as a temporary shelter for a short period of time may end up being used for many years following the incident, years to even decades. Hence, it is vital to plan a housing solution that can be used for a longer period of time with the ability to be re used in case of provision of permanent housing or to be incorporated into a permanent housing solution. The research aims to give a response to the housing solutions provided after catastrophic events by reviewing sustainable, low cost and time efficient solutions through innovative construction techniques focusing on the potential of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (Dfma) in housing solutions for post disaster situations.