Redefining the Aq-Oi: A Pattern for Transitional Housing after the 2019 Golestan Flood

Problem statement:

 Providing temporary housing after a disaster is essential to protect the survivors and resume their daily activities, but it may not result in an actual housing transition. After three years of the flood in Chen-Soley, different forms of housing transition are observed. While in some cases, the residence transition has been done through the completion of the reconstruction of permanent housing or the incremental evolution of temporary housing, some affected households still live in temporary units or have returned to previously damaged houses, and their health and safety are at risk.

This study attempts to present a theory that can explain the transition of residence of the survivors from temporary to permanent housing in Chen-Soley village.

This research has used the qualitative approach and the grounded theory method to identify the factors affecting the transition of residence of affected households. Data collection was done through participatory observation and semi-structured interviews. Samples were selected through theoretical sampling and data analysis was carried out through qualitative data coding.

It is possible to redefine the pattern of Aq-Oi housing to transition the residence of survivors by recreating the meaning of the place. The paradigm model of the research shows that this matter depends on the causal conditions, including “the way of supporting housing provision” and “local economy,” providing “safety and security,” and “climate comfort”. Residents’ interactions regarding these conditions were classified into the categories of “community participation,” “capacities of Aq-Oi,” “sense of belonging,” “incremental evolution,” and “form of temporary housing”. Ultimately, the consequences of these interactions have appeared in the form of using “reusing options” of temporary housing, trying to “maintain cultural identity”, and, in some cases, “non-transition of residence”.