ITB Delivers Two-Day Temporary Shelters for Cisarua Landslide Victims
The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has delivered temporary shelters based on a reciprocal frame structural system that can be built in just two days for residents affected by landslides in Kampung Pasir Kuning, Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua, West Bandung.
ITB Architecture Team Leader Andry Widyowijatnoko explained that speed is the key factor in addressing post-disaster housing crises. The 6x6-metre shelters are designed as modular units using timber materials so they can be easily assembled whilst also stimulating the local economy.
“The structural system of these shelters can be manufactured in modules, then assembled and constructed very quickly. These shelters are erected in two days,” said Andry in Bandung on Friday.
He added that the building design is flexible, allowing the length to be extended according to the number of occupants. A single housing unit can currently accommodate two families with a total of seven family members.
The temporary shelter assistance was handed over by ITB on the first day of Ramadan, Thursday (19 February), by Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara as part of the Desa Bangkit Cisarua (Cisarua Village Recovery) Programme, an integrated humanitarian response to the disaster.
“ITB’s presence on the first day of Ramadan represents the university’s tangible mission to deliver direct impact during emergency situations such as disasters. Since November, when the disaster struck in Sumatra, ITB deployed a team on the second day, and to this day continues its mission across three provinces,” said Tatacipta.
ITB’s Director of Community Service and Expert Services, Zulfiadi Zulhan, stated that four expert teams had been deployed since the second day of the Cisarua disaster, covering the fields of risk management, health, settlements, and water and sanitation.
“We hope these temporary shelters can be of benefit to the residents affected by the disaster. We hope their lives will improve going forward,” said Zulfiadi.
For affected residents such as Ayi Kurniawan (43), the assistance has become a source of hope after his home was swept away by the landslide.
“It has been a great help for me as a disaster victim whose house no longer exists. I am glad that ITB came to help,” said Ayi.
In addition to housing, the collaboration between ITB, Rumah Amal Salman, and alumni has also distributed 110 food parcels, provided health services for 250 residents, and offered psychosocial support to aid the community’s comprehensive recovery.