Sustainable Strategies for Improving Humanitarian Construction Through BIM and Climate Analysis

Mwikilwa Mukamba Gladdys, Bigirimana Gentil () and Ping Cao ()
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Mwikilwa Mukamba Gladdys: School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Bigirimana Gentil: School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Ping Cao: School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-32

Abstract: The growing need for effective and sustainable solutions in humanitarian construction has prompted scholars and practitioners to explore technical approaches that address the challenges of natural disasters, health emergencies, armed conflicts and migratory flows. These solutions often encompass temporary shelters, durable shelters and multifunctional buildings designed to balance rapid deployment, cultural sensitivity and environmental sustainability. However, the assessment of sustainability in humanitarian construction remains insufficiently defined due to the complexities of crises, the variability of local materials and the impact of local climatic conditions. This study aims to bridge this gap by integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and simulation tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 to study sustainable strategies for humanitarian housing. Using case studies aligned with IFRC, UNHCR and CRL (Red Cross of Luxembourg) family shelter standards, the research assessed a Climate and Local Skill-Centered Design (CLCD) by examining the performance of key design elements, including wall material emissivity and reflectance, natural lighting, and energy efficiency within the context of indoor thermal comfort. Simulation results revealed that wall finishing material reflectance significantly influences average daylight factors (D), with variations of 2% to 5% linked to lower reflectance values and changes in the window-to-floor ratio (WFR). Conversely, thermal comfort metrics indicated minimal variations in heat discomfort hours, maintaining indoor temperatures between 19 °C and 25 °C, consistent with ASHRAE Standard 55 thermal comfort criteria. This paper underscores the importance of integrating advanced IT tools and green local techniques and materials to optimize humanitarian housing for health, comfort and environmental performance, offering actionable insights for future humanitarian sustainable designs.

Keywords: humanitarian housing; sustainable local strategies; thermal comfort; natural daylighting; local green materials; climate and local skill-centered design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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