Created By: CRS / NHSRP

Flood resilient housing solutions for Nepal

$ (US $1,000 to $5,000 per house) Cost Level

Innovation Gallery

Innovation Details

In the Terai plains of Nepal, vernacular mud houses face a significant challenge: they disintegrate during flooding. CRS Nepal, together with Caritas Nepal and NHSRP, are developing innovative solutions to protect these houses and improve the resilience of local communities. The project focuses on flood-resilient techniques, such as raised plinths and lime-stabilized soil, combined with earthquake-resilient technologies to enhance the durability and resilience of these houses.

The research was carried out using multiple trial mix samples mimicking what happens to mud houses during floods. Using lime-stabilized soil and pozzolans such as rice husk ash, sand, and straw, we found that the mud plasters and flooring can remain intact in water. This innovation prevents soil dissolution and provides a solution for flood-prone areas and provide thermal comfort (cooler in summer, warmer in winter).

Features integrated into Flood-Resilient Demo-Community Houses:

  • Raised plinth level
  • Lime-stabilized soil technology
  • Improved connection of wood/bamboo, metal, and concrete
  • Earthquake-resilient technology
  • Use of local natural building materials

Technical Drawings

Housing Typologies

Single-family

Materials

Bamboo

Concrete

Earth

Steel

Wood

Other

New Housing Category

New construction

Retrofit

Urban Systems

Not applicable

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