The Challenge of Affordable Housing in Disasters: Western Iran Earthquake in 2017.

In November 2017, a disruptive earthquake occurred in Western Iran. After the major earthquake in Kermanshah, most affordable buildings such as a hospital in Islamabad and a dozen schools were destroyed. According to experts, a dangerous location (construction on the fault), poor quality of concrete, inappropriate connection of the facade to the structure, the use of undesirable construction materials, and low quality of non-structural components are considered as the main reasons for these damages. Regarding the role of government in the developing countries, construction policies should be modified and new policies should be implemented to enhance the structural and non-structural resilience in the buildings.