Optimal Site Selection for Post-Disaster Temporary Housing Using AHP and TOPSIS: A Case Study of Langarud City, Iran

Authors

  • Ali Hooshmand Aini * Department of Civil Engineering, Roudbar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudbar, Iran. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9873-6910
  • Reza Farazmandfar Department of Civil Engineering, Roudbar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudbar, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.48314/ijrceai.v3i4.75

Abstract

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural hazards, often causing extensive damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, and urban services and forcing large numbers of households to leave their homes. In such circumstances, providing safe and accessible temporary accommodation is one of the most immediate requirements of post-disaster response. The location of temporary housing is particularly important because an inappropriate site may increase the difficulty of emergency service delivery, restrict access to essential facilities, and expose displaced populations to additional environmental and social risks. Post-disaster temporary housing should therefore be considered not merely as the provision of physical shelter but as an integral component of disaster recovery and urban resilience. Previous research has demonstrated that the selection and arrangement of temporary housing sites involve multiple and sometimes conflicting criteria, including safety, accessibility, environmental conditions, proximity to essential services, land characteristics, social conditions, implementation costs, and the capacity of the site. Recent studies have further emphasized the importance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), sustainability, flexibility, reuse, and rapid implementation in post-disaster shelter planning. This study aims to identify and prioritize suitable sites for temporary housing in Langarud City, Iran. Considering the city's environmental and urban characteristics and the need to address earthquake-related displacement as well as flood and waterlogging risks, the study adopts a descriptive-analytical research design. Relevant criteria for temporary housing site selection are identified through the literature and expert consultation. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed to determine the relative weights of the criteria, while the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to prioritize candidate locations according to their overall suitability. The findings indicate that, among the investigated areas of Langarud, sections of the green space along Chamkhaleh Road and Fajr Park demonstrate comparatively higher suitability for temporary housing. These areas may therefore be considered potential sites for further technical assessment, infrastructure preparation, and pre-disaster planning. The study emphasizes that systematic pre-disaster site selection, supported by MCDM methods, can contribute to faster emergency response, more efficient allocation of resources, and improved conditions for displaced populations. 

Keywords:

Disaster management, Earthquake, Temporary housing, Temporary shelter, Site selection, Analytical hierarchy process, TOPSIS, Geographic information systems, Langarud

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Published

2026-12-17

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 4 (2026): International Journal of Researches on Civil Engineering with Artificial Intelligence (IJRCEAI)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hooshmand Aini, A., & Farazmandfar, R. (2026). Optimal Site Selection for Post-Disaster Temporary Housing Using AHP and TOPSIS: A Case Study of Langarud City, Iran. International Journal of Researches on Civil Engineering With Artificial Intelligence , 3(4), 324-348. https://doi.org/10.48314/ijrceai.v3i4.75

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