Relocating to Pre-Fab Structures After Disasters

Thailand has gone through some serious flooding recently, including some (poorer) areas of Bangkok. In typical DYI fashion, some of the people displaced by the flooding have moved into pre-fab concrete sections intended for an elevated roadway.

Meanwhile, in flood-ravaged Bangkok, a similar story emerges from the waterlogged streets of Pathum Thani. CNN recently released a video that captures Thai communities taking refuge in prefabricated concrete shells used to construct Bangkok's elevated skyway. Within these tiered cement structures, dozens of recently homeless residents have moved in with their most prized personal belongings, from pampered purse-sized dogs to massive flat-screen televisions and refrigerators. More after the break.

While coverage of the flooding in Thailand has dwindled, many Thais continue to wait for the waters to recede from their homes. As much of Bangkok is still only navigable by boat, the concrete hive has proven to be a preferred alternative to more conventional government shelters. The prefabricated units of infrastructure provide evacuees with relatively large alcoves of dry space to call their own as well as sources of electricity to tap into. Moreover, the company that owns the skyway has openly given permission for its new occupants to stay.

 The article also linked to this story about temporary housing in Japan made using shipping containers.