A s tudy on new amphibious housing solution for vulnerable communities in Kuttanad

Abstract

Face of Kerala is changing with climate making it more vulnerable to flood and flood related hazards. Flood hazard mitigation strategies requires a greater degree of adaptability, which calls for the development of new housing types that build resilience among vulnerable population. Kuttanad is a low-lying deltaic region in Kerala with highest number of flood displaced population per year. The economically weaker section of this region is striving for a flood resilient house. Huge house damage loss followed by Kerala flood 2018 paved the way to think about a construction that lives with water without making any obstruction to its flow. Amphibious housing is a sustainable flood mitigation strategy that works in synchrony with the flood vulnerable region’s natural cycle of flooding. These type of constructions are already a part of Netherlands and Rural Louisiana since 1970’s. This paper reviews the case studies of existing amphibious buildings globally and present flood resilient constructions of Kerala. It also analyses the possibility and proposed a new amphibious housing solution based on timber for the vulnerable regions in Kuttanad. The material selection was based on certain parameters which ensure the sustainability of prototype. These type of construction can act as a permanent housing solution for the flood displaced population of Kuttanad.