The Urban RSK is the first complete bamboo frame shelter kit that is freestanding on concrete or asphalt. It is designed for urban disasters, especially earthquakes, where traditional shelter structures are difficult to erect.
The Urban RSK uses the same bamboo poles as the emergency RSK. This will enable aid agencies that have stockpiled emergency RSK kits to rapidly respond and assemble Urban RSKs.
Alternatively, full Urban RSK shelter kits can now be stored at strategic locations in any city that is considered vulnerable to earthquakes.
Not only do these shelters provide immediate shelter for families during the aftershocks, they can also provide temporary shelter for families that want to oversee their damaged dwelling during the rebuild phase.
The urban shelter roof frame can be elevated on one side using existing stones and masonry or make use of low damaged walls.
Testing the first Urban RSK prototype at UNHCR training. Myanmar 2017
When 2 reciprocal frame roof panels are inclined against each other and lashed to two props the structure is remarkably stable on solid ground. This stability increases with the addition of the tarpaulin and when earth bags are placed on top of the two lower frame members. Two heavy guy ropes attached to earth bags on each side complete the shelter.
