Architectural and Landscape Factors Contributing to a Sense of Security in Rural Temporary Housing Sites: A Qualitative Study

This study primarily aims to determine the architectural and Landscape factors contributing to a sense of security in rural temporary housing sites in earthquake-stricken villages of Ahar, Heris, and Varzaqan. In doing so, architectural and Landscape weaknesses affecting the sense of security in these rural temporary housing sites were examined and identified. This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis model for data analysis to learn about the opinions of people who had directly experienced life in temporary housing sites. 21 person, who had volunteered to experience the life under such conditions, were chosen in a purposeful method. The researchers used semi-structured interviews in the participants’ houses and in religious settings such as mosques until data saturation was achieved. To analyze the data, Graneheim and Lundman’s steps were used. The validity of data was also ensured through the application of Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. Afterward, two major aspects/themes constituting (1) “physical themes” with 6 sub-themes and (2) “environmental themes” with 11 sub-themes were identified and classified. The findings of this study are as follows: the temporary nature of such housing sites; lack of awareness about the social and architectural characteristics of rural settlement areas; little attention paid to the quality of construction; and inadequate measures taken to provide for the residents’ daily needs, which can adversely affect the sense of security in such sites as viewed from the perspective of those in the charge of crisis management. The findings of the present study and the suggestions made here can have far-reaching implications for policymakers in that they can improve the quality of life in temporary housing sites, thus ensuring a sense of security and satisfaction for the residents.