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Abstract
While housing is the largest component of economic loss from natural disasters,little attention is paid to the housing problem before disasters occur (Quarantelli 1995;Comerio 1997). Displaced people living in temporary housing communities sufferemotionally and have difficulty resuming daily activities. Disaster planning must thereforebecome more of a priority for urban areas (FEMA 2009). This thesis proposes a designapplication planning for temporary housing communities in urban areas in the UnitedStates. A park is devised to transform into a temporary housing community facilitatingpsychosomatic recovery and helping victims recommence daily activities, when needed.A site in Miami-Dade County, Florida has been chosen due its high vulnerability tohurricanes and large metropolitan center. Previous examples of temporary communitiesare analyzed within the context of site planning, community morale, and functionalefficiency. Lessons from this thesis can hopefully influence disaster planning fortemporary housing in other urban areas.