Abstract:
Sri Lanka ranks as second in the Global Climate Risk Index in 2019 and heat stress
an evolving global crisis making the lives critical in the world, where by overheated
interiors are more fatal than the surrounding thus households spending much time
indoor ranging from 65 to 90% are more susceptible. Internally Displaced People
(IDPs) are more prone to heat strain due to deprived social and economic status
thus perceiving overheated residences as thermally comfortable. Since
rehabilitation programs are not addressing holistic housing approach
synchronized thermal comfort and energy poverty are making the condition more
pathetic. IDP and resilient housing are less interested areas in developing nations.
Thus, this study experimentally investigated synergy and synchronized impact of
thermal comfort and energy poverty of IDPs who are not prioritizing the occupant
health and well-being over the other. Thus, they tend to exhibit adaptive behaviors
for cooling in naturally ventilated residences in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Onsite field
investigations were performed in objective and subjective means inclusive of
personal monitoring, questionnaire surveys and physical measurements in four
schemes of rehabilitation programme in seven regions. Results explicitly proved
the presence of overheated interiors and prominent habitual adjustments through
passive means to cope up high temperature at the cost of thermal comfort and
energy consumption. Severity of heat stress was measured using several heat
indices and complex predicted mean value model. Around 98% of the population
has the warning signs for possible heat cramps and heat exhaustion based on
apparent temperature index. Presence of hidden energy poverty condition is
proved through the lack of access to modern, clean, reliable and affordable access
to electricity and cooking fuel. Though the electrification rate was 93.75%, mean
energy consumption was just around 52 kWh per month per household and access
to clean cooking fuel is 29%. This deadly combination of fuel poverty and lack of
comfort, lowered indoor air quality has been a significant factor for 62% of the
residences reporting at least one type of illness and being more prone to
cardiovascular and respiratory disorders (37%). Thus, the study evidenced the
synergy between the thermal comfort and energy poverty in lowering the quality
of life of IDPs and suggesting design implications with inclusive passive designs
justifying more comfortable, healthy and low-energy living of interiors in Sri
Lankan contest in the context of warming climates.
