Assessment of the user-led spatial configuration in the traditional shelters in Bantayan Island, Philippines

Abstract

The study uses the Space Syntax Theory to analyse the user-led spatial configuration of the two types of transitional shelters (Shelter A and Shelter B). These are assessed against a Permanent Shelter in Bantayan Island seven years after Typhoon Haiyan. Conclusions from this research is envisioned to provide an evaluation of how the recipients maximized the use of the limited space as well as compare possible similarities or differences in the way users in transitional shelters configure their spaces against those living in a permanent shelter. These can ultimately guide the designs of future transitional shelters considering that many of them become permanent structures. Contrary to the “standard” procedure of the theory, the research followed an approach that is like what Monteiro (1997) and Sanni-Anibire et al (2018) did and used the AGRAPH software to generate the results. A further deviation is on the assessment of the activities according to the location of the furniture at the time the data is gathered. This is even if in principle, the furniture may be moved to another place in the shelter. Multiple occurrences of the same activity are recorded and numbered. Findings showed a lack of ‘proper’ distinction between private and public spaces, as well as a high percentage of activities being performed outside of the shelter’s original volume. It can be surmised that the decisions that influenced the user-initiated spatial configuration are merely based on the available space in the structure regardless of the degree of privacy that the activity requires.