INDIGENOUS RURAL HOUSING AND ITS INDOOR THERMAL PERFORMANCES BESIDE THE PADMA RIVER BANK AREAS

Abstract

A unique geographic location, coupled with climate change impacts, has made Bangladesh one of the worst victims of natural disasters. 'Living with disasters' is a cruel reality for the people of Bangladesh, and rural housing is one of the major sectors which is badly affected almost every year. This study focuses on one of the primary problems of traditional vernacular dwellings beside the Padma riverbank areas, which is the overheating of indoor spaces due to changing demand of building materials as well as harsh, barren landscapes. This empirical research was conducted by doing surveys and analyses about the available building materials, housing characteristics, homestead layouts, space- use patterns, and environmental conditions on the northern side of the Padma riverbank areas, at Munshigonj, Dhaka. Again a quantitative method of analysis was carried out for assessing indoor thermal environments of a few randomly selected houses with the help of a pocket weather meter. The surveys reveal that these houses were vulnerable to recurrent natural hazards, and their indoor environment was relatively uncomfortable. But in terms of affordability and availability, they are clearly optimum and sustainable. It may be possible to suggest ways and means of improvement of the physical environment of rural housing in such a way as to improve their indoor thermal performance and reduce vulnerabilities. Key words: rural housing, vernacular dwelling, indoor environment, thermal comfort, natural hazards, riverbank areas, vulnerabilities.