Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Humanitarian Design and Implementation
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Professors Humanitarian Design and Implementation:
Andreas SCHIFFER, andreas_schiffer@hotmail.com
Viviana HERNAIZ, vivihernaiz@gmail.com
Teaching staff are available by appointment through email.
Introduction
Professors Humanitarian Design and Implementation:
Andreas SCHIFFER
Viviana HERNAIZ
This subject engages students in the design and implementation processes of humanitarian architecture within the broader framework of urban development and community design. It explores how architects and planners can contribute effectively to crisis response, reconstruction, and resilience-building, integrating ethical, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable emergency architecture.
Students will work in interdisciplinary teams, developing context-sensitive and implementable design strategies for vulnerable communities affected by conflict, displacement, or natural disaster.
Pre-course requirements
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the key actors, frameworks, and dynamics governing humanitarian architecture and post-crisis urban development.
- Apply participatory design methodologies appropriate to humanitarian and emergency contexts.
- Formulate design responses that integrate sustainability, resilience, and cultural appropriateness.
- Translate design ideas into realistic implementation frameworks, considering technical, logistical, and social dimensions.
- Critically assess ethical dilemmas, power relations, and the designer’s role within humanitarian operations.
- Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary, multicultural teams and communicate professional project outcomes.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration and communication.
- Awareness of cultural, ethical, and environmental dimensions of design.
- Critical and analytical thinking applied to complex real-world challenges.
- Understanding of international humanitarian frameworks and actors.
- Ability to design context-appropriate built environments in emergency and development scenarios.
- Capacity to propose feasible implementation strategies within resource and time constraints.
- Competence in participatory design methods and community engagement.
Syllabus
|
Day |
Theme |
Topics |
Activities |
|
1 |
Introduction to Humanitarian Design |
Humanitarian principles; ethics; role of design |
Lecture; case discussions; studio briefing |
|
2 |
Actors and Frameworks |
UN-Habitat, NGOs, coordination mechanisms |
Stakeholder mapping; project site introduction |
|
3 |
Participatory Design |
Co-design and engagement techniques |
Group work; participatory simulation |
|
4 |
Implementation Strategies |
Materials, logistics, and sustainable technologies |
Technical workshop; strategy planning |
|
5 |
Final Presentation and Reflection |
Ethics, sustainability, and evaluation |
Jury presentation; peer review; reflective essay |
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The workshop uses an experiential learning approach that integrates lectures, seminars, and design studio work:
- Lectures and Expert Talks: Introducing humanitarian frameworks, design ethics, and best practices.
- Case Studies: Analysis of post-disaster and post-conflict reconstruction examples.
- Field Simulation / Community Engagement: Participatory methods for needs assessment and co-design.
- Design Studio: Group project development under academic and professional guidance.
- Implementation Planning: Development of a strategic plan for execution and monitoring.
- Final Presentation: Public review with an expert jury.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
|
Component |
Description |
Weight |
|
Group Project |
Design proposal + implementation framework |
60% |
|
Individual Reflection |
Critical essay on ethics, participation, and sustainability |
20% |
|
Participation & Collaboration |
Contribution to group work and discussions |
20% |
Evaluation Criteria:
- Depth of contextual analysis and appropriateness of design response.
- Feasibility and clarity of the implementation framework.
- Integration of sustainability and social inclusion principles.
- Critical reflection on ethics and professional responsibility.
- Clarity and professionalism in communication and presentation.
Bibliography and resources
Essential Readings
- Corsellis, T. & Vitale, A. (2005). Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations. Oxfam Publishing.
- Davis, I. (2011). What Have We Learned from 40 Years’ Experience of Disaster Shelter? Environmental Hazards, 10(3–4).
- Sanderson, D. & Sharma, A. (2016). World Disasters Report 2016: Resilience – Saving Lives Today, Investing for Tomorrow. IFRC.
- Davis, J. & Alexander, D. (2016). Recovery from Disaster. Routledge.
- Sinclair, C. & Stohr, K. (eds.) (2006). Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises. Metropolis Books.
Recommended Readings
- Kennedy, J. et al. (2008). The Meaning of “Build Back Better.” Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 16(1).
- Estevez, A. T. (2018). Architecture and the Humanitarian Turn: Designing for Life. In Digital Organicism and Sustainable Architecture.
- Fathy, H. (1973). Architecture for the Poor. University of Chicago Press.
- Molesworth, K. (2020). Humanitarian Architecture: 15 Stories of Architects Working After Disaster. Routledge.
- Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
- Latour, B. (2018). Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime. Polity Press.
- UN-Habitat (2014). The State of the World’s Cities 2014/2015: Sustainable Cities – Human Settlements in Crisis.
Online and Institutional Resources
- UN-Habitat: Global Shelter Cluster
- IFRC: Sphere Handbook – Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response
- UNHCR: Handbook for Emergencies
- Architecture Sans Frontières International: https://asfint.org