An automated system for optimizing temporary housing arrangements after natural disasters

Omar El-Anwar, Khaled El-Rayes, Amr Elnashai

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Post-disaster temporary housing programs have often been criticized due their inability to fulfill the socioeconomic and safety needs of the displaced families and for being overly expensive. Impact assessment software systems, such as HAZUSMH (FEMA) and MAEviz (Mid-America Earthquake Center), enable emergency planners to estimate post-disaster housing damage and displacement of families. This paper presents the development of an automated temporary housing planning system, which incorporates a preparedness model and a response model. These models are currently being integrated in MAEviz to support decision-makers in (1) identifying available temporary housing resources prior to a disaster; and (2) identifying optimal configurations of post-disaster temporary housing arrangements, which satisfy the safety and socioeconomic needs of displaced families, while minimizing public expenditures. A large-scale application example is provided to demonstrate the capabilities of the system in identifying feasible temporary housing alternatives andgenerating optimal trade-offs among different optimization objectives. Copyright ASCE 2009.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationBuilding a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress
Pages1135-1144
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Event2009 Construction Research Congress - Building a Sustainable Future - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: Apr 5 2009Apr 7 2009

Publication series

NameBuilding a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress

Other

Other2009 Construction Research Congress - Building a Sustainable Future
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period4/5/094/7/09

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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