Development of Amphibious Homes for Marginalised and Vulnerable Populations in Vietnam

Adapting a model for low-cost amphibious houses

Lead organisation: University of Waterloo, Canada

Partners

  • Can Tho University
  • National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategic Studies (NISTPASS)
  • Southern Institute of Water Resources Research (SIWRR)
  • Viet Nam Institute for Urban-Rural Planning Ministry of Construction
  • Vietnam National University
  • World Wildlife Fund

The University of Waterloo, Canada, has adapted a model for low-cost amphibious houses, based on those used in flood-prone areas of Louisiana, USA for decades, for the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, considering the local environmental, economic and social context. Data from the project will be used to develop a sustainable business model for replicating the housing design, and support an overall climate change adaptation strategy throughout the region and beyond.

Key Achievements:

  • Can Tho University expressed interest to host the 4th International Conference on Amphibious Architecture, Design and Engineering 2021.
  • Two amphibious retrofits successfully completed in Vinh Phuoc Commune, An Giang Province in May 2018.
  • Two amphibious retrofits in Vinh Chau A Commune, Long An Province currently in progress and likely completed by the end of July.
  • The four amphibious houses will be ready to monitor testing in October, during the peak flooding season. 
  • Pending the performance of the houses, there is interest from local government and private actors to replicate and subsidize the approach.