Evaluasi Desain dan Potensi Pemanfaatan Kembali Hunian Transisi: Dua Dekade Pasca-tsunami Aceh

Abstract

The housing destruction caused by the 2004 Aceh earthquake and tsunami led to the large-scale construction of transitional shelters intended for short-term use prior to permanent resettlement. Although these shelters were designed with a lifespan of only two to three years, a significant number remain standing two decades later. This study re-examines the long-term condition, transformation, and reuse potential of transitional shelters in Aceh, addressing a gap in post-disaster housing research that rarely extends beyond the emergency phase. Using a qualitative case study approach based on field observations, document analysis, and literature review, the research finds that while the original shelter design showed limitations in thermal comfort, ventilation,and cultural suitability, its modular structure enabled various formsof informal adaptation. Many abandoned or vacated units have been repurposed by local communities into economic, social, and educational spaces, whereas others were sold or left neglected due to the absence of planned reuse strategies. The findings demonstrate that transitional shelters should not be regarded as disposable post-disaster artifacts, but as adaptive architectural assets with long-term social and economic value. Integrating adaptive reuse and lifecycle planning into shelter design is therefore essential for sustainable post-disaster mitigation.