ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 137

International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy Session III SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PHILIPPINES BUILT ENVIRONMENT DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS Salma Al-Zahabi1 & Hasim Altan1 1 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering & IT, British University in Dubai, UAE, [email protected] / [email protected] Abstract The Philippines with its high population, limited development, continues natural disasters, and poor economy, creates extremely poor living standards not only for its people living today, but also for the future generations’ living conditions. “The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world”, said the Australian Aid program of Philippines (2007), keeping it in a large-scale danger zone to date. In this study, the research was divided into four main categories: (1) selecting a relevant case study; (2) conducting reviews of previous literature and experiments; (3) suggesting sustainable solutions, and finally (4) creating a comparison between proposed solutions and other existing implementations and their outcomes. The paper suggests anti-flood floating shelters with an initial dynamic design shape allowing protection of residential shelters and occupants during and after natural disasters such as heavy floods. The approach is to create both solutions to save the country’s people and infrastructures from natural dangers. Sustainable design illustrates low energy shelter designs, inspired by buoyant concept and light floating materials. The proposed design is presenting two types of renewable energy generations; hydropower energy and vortex induced vibration aquatic clean energy (VIVACE) through machines underwater. As a result, shelters’ dynamic shapes allow water circulation and movement to generate energy using hydro turbines attached to proposed shelters that will supply power in presence and absence of floods during natural disasters. In conclusion, the paper suggests a large-scale design implementation plan covering existing houses in collaboration with the government’s future sustainable projects. Keywords Philippines, Natural Disasters, Floods, Buoyant definition, Anti-flood Shelters, Hydropower Energy, Energy Turbines, Renewable Resources. 135