Toward a Housing Design that Can Withstand Natural Disasters: A Study in Sundarbans

The Sundarbans region in India urgently requires cyclone-resilient housing, given its heightened vulnerability to cyclones and flooding. A review of historical data showcases the extensive harm cyclones have brought upon the area’s residents and infrastructure, leading to profound economic and social setbacks. The prevailing traditional housing structures in Sundarbans exhibit significant vulnerabilities. To address this, the chapter introduces Cyclone-Flood resilient housing as an essential and sustainable countermeasure. The chapter emphasizes the work by MUKTI, a socioeconomic development organization, toward the transformative power of resilient infrastructure in protecting and uplifting vulnerable communities. The chapter’s central proposition is a paradigm shift in disaster management. The chapter says that emphasis should pivot toward a more proactive, pre-emptive approach that champions a resilient housing approach. Adopting such housing strategies will not only safeguard communities but also sustain their socioeconomic activities in the aftermath of cyclonic events. This holistic approach will bolster community resilience, enabling the people of Sundarbans to continue their daily lives, pursue education, and engage in economic endeavors even post-cyclone. This chapter serves as a resounding call to action, urging relevant stakeholders to prioritize and allocate resources toward cyclone resilient housing initiatives, ensuring inhabitants a more secure and prosperous future.