Review of Temporary Shelter Planning Models: Global Trends and Evidence from Ongoing Practices

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that in 2020 there were over 82.4 million displaced individuals worldwide, the highest number ever recorded. This underscores the urgency of enhancing and optimizing the temporary shelter planning process to house the displaced. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030, specifically SDG 11 has relevance to making cities and communities safe, through safe and affordable housing, and reducing the adverse effects of natural disasters, whereas SDG 13 calls fort strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters. This study advances the understanding of the quantitative and qualitative methods and models used to improve temporary shelter planning. A systematic review of available literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted. In total, 46 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were analyzed. Using thematic analysis the studies were categorized into three areas—site selection, design and construction, and management techniques. Popular models identified included multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), GIS, and optimization models using mathematical programming. Findings highlight the benefits of technological breakthroughs in modular designs, computerized simulations, and rapid construction techniques for improving shelter planning. Furthermore, the importance of community participation, integration of local knowledge, and ensuring culturally appropriate, sustainable, and resilient shelter solutions was underscored. Finally, the study calls for multidisciplinary approaches incorporating perspectives from engineering, architecture, and social sciences, and continuous refinement of strategies to address diverse dynamic needs and contexts. This review of global practices provides valuable up-to-date insights for policy makers, practitioners, nongovernmental organizations, citizens and scholars working on optimizing the process of sheltering. It refocuses attention on efficiency, improvisation and innovations, and effective allocation of resources, while balancing safety, community cohesion, and long-term sustainability in shelter management.