Rebuilding Lives: An Assessment of Renovation Strategies for Temporary Shelters in Gaza

Abstract

Temporary shelters in refugee camps often fail to provide sustainable and livable solutions for prolonged displacement, particularly in regions like Gaza, where hot, dry summers and cool, humid winters, combined with frequent power outages, intensify challenges to indoor environmental quality. This study aims to explore practical and sustainable renovation strategies to upgrade container shelters by enhancing thermal comfort, natural ventilation, and daylighting performance. Four passive interventions were proposed: integrating recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) walls for thermal mass, adding perforated facades to regulate airflow and solar gain, incorporating ventilated air gaps to improve insulation, and applying green systems on roofs or facades. The effectiveness of these strategies was evaluated using different simulations. The results showed indoor temperatures dropped by up to 3.14°C, Relative humidity levels stabilized within the range of 31–66%, and daylight performance improved, with Spatial Daylight Autonomy (SDA) reaching up to 42%. These strategies demonstrated the potential to minimize reliance on mechanical systems while supporting sustainability goals. The study provides a replicable framework for upgrading container shelters in resource-constrained, crisis-affected environments.