Phenomenological Evaluation of Temporary Housing Conditions Based on the Survay Among the Female Population of Postearthquake Chubanlar Sardarlu- Heris

Temporary Housing is a critical yet challenging issue in earthquake stricken areas. Families affected by natural disasters often need a safe place to restart their daily activities. If temporary housing is not provided in an appropriate time, immediately after the earthquake, it can cause social and individual problems for affected people. The purpose of this investigation is the evaluation of temporary housing in earthquake stricken village of Chubanlu Sardarlu- Heris, based on the poll of the female population. It is noteworthy that despite the responsibility of the female population to care for the home environment, they are faced with many impediments including the scarcity of livelihood choices, poverty, and physical limitations. This study is a qualitative research with a phenomenological interpretation approach. For this purpose, unstructured interviews were conducted with the female population of Chubanlar. The results showed that female inhabitants recognized two catagories of temporary housing issues; the issues related to the outside of the tent (peripheral factors) and those related to the inside of the tent (immediate surrounding factors). According to information from the interviews, women deal with some problems like lack of safety, sanitary defects of the facilities, shortages inwater supply, lack of privacy, poor ventilation, and overcrowding inside of the tents. Hence, measures were taken to remedy the drawbacks including the fencing and a Chinese wall around the premises. Also, the public baths were relocated to a more secluded area, and were separated by gender. Bathrooms for disabled women were located in their residential vicinity. The numbers of water taps were increased to at least one per tent. In other locations water barrels were placed near the tents. A temporary mosque was also erected. In order to maintain the health and comfort of the tent space, it was suggested for the area to be divided into two parts; the living space and the storage area. In this manner, the ordinary routine of separated resting area from other household endeavors such as washing and cooking were replicated. To solve the problem of poor ventilation a vent can be embedded in the body of the shelter or the number of windows can be increased in the upper parts of tents.