ALBAWABA - In Bangladesh, award-winning architect has developed a unique housing solution to help residents survive the increasing threat of flooding caused by climate change. The architect, Marina Tabassum, has designed resilient homes called "Khudi Bari" or "tiny houses" that are built on bamboo stilts and can easily be moved to safer locations when needed.
These innovative homes offer hope to the millions of people living on Bangladesh's vast river floodplains.
The Khudi Bari homes proved to be a lifesaver for 40 years old Abu Sayeed during this year's monsoon floods. Instead of abandoning his home like he had done in the past, Sayeed simply climbed up a ladder and waited for the floodwaters to recede. The homes are constructed on stilts, allowing residents to stay on the upper floor during floods.
(Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP)
Bangladesh is listed as the seventh most vulnerable country to extreme weather events caused by climate change and rising sea levels. Due to its low-lying geography and deltas formed by rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, relocating people to higher ground is nearly impossible. Fleeing homes during floods has become a way of life for many residents.
Tabassum worked to design the Khudi Bari homes using locally available materials, such as bamboo poles and metal sheeting, to keep costs low. Each house costs approximately $450 to build, including labor. The homes can also be easily assembled and disassembled, making them mobile and adaptable.
The Khudi Bari model has been successful not only for individual homes but also for larger community centers. Tabassum has used the design to build a community center for Rohingya refugee women in Bangladeshi camps.
(Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP)
The impact of climate change, including increased monsoon rains and melting ice in the Himalayas, has emphasized the need for resilient housing solutions like the Khudi Bari homes. These homes provide protection during floods that can last for months, unlike the strong shelters built for cyclones, which are only suitable for short-term protection during storms.
Tabassum is currently building over a hundred Khudi Bari homes across Bangladesh to inspire and set an example for others. With the growing threat of climate change, innovative housing solutions like the Khudi Bari homes offer hope to vulnerable communities facing the increasing risk of floods.
