Climate-resilient housing for river-based communities of the Mekong delta

Abstract

This dissertation proposes a modular floating housing system as a climate-resilient response tailored to the lived realities of river-based communities in the Mekong Delta. Confronted by rising sea levels, seasonal flooding, and infrastructural precarity, the project critiques formal resettlement strategies that often dislocate residents and undermine place-based socio-spatial practices. Drawing from field observations in a representative riverine setting, the central design-led contribution is a prefabricated housing system that is environmentally responsive and culturally grounded, enabling incremental growth, spatial adaptability, and continuity of local life.The research adopts a practice-led methodology that integrates theoretical inquiry with iterative, context-sensitive design development. Phase I establishes a conceptual and contextual foundation through the review of climate-resilient architecture, floating housing precedents, modular construction strategies, and regional planning instruments. These strands are synthesized into design principles and spatial strategies that mediate between environmental contingencies, material pragmatism, and traditional domestic practices. Phase II develops and examines the proposed system through a hypothetical site application, exploring how core modules, buoyant structures, and anchoring strategies may adapt to seasonal water levels and vernacular settlement morphology. Scenario-based testing and visual analysis assess the system’s environmental responsiveness, socio-cultural integration, and modular scalability. Beyond physical design, the dissertation reflects on the institutional feasibility of in-situ adaptation by aligning the proposal with national housing policies and Vietnam’s broader climate agenda. It concludes by identifying key implementation challenges and outlining potential directions for refinement, including technical prototyping and community participation. While the project offers a promising conceptual model, its broader applicability will depend on future testing, community engagement, and supportive policy mechanisms.