Indoor thermal comfort and natural light in Jute-based versus tarpaulin shelters: a mixed-methods pilot study in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
7 affiliations
- 1Environmental Health and WASH, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 2Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
- 3University College of London, London, United Kingdom
- 4Heat and Health Research Centre, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, South Brisbane, Australia
- 5Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 6Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 7Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
Abstract
Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar live in temporary tarpaulin-and-bamboo shelters that provide limited protection from heat, humidity, winter cold, and poor daylight. This study evaluated Jutin, a jute-fiber composite material, by comparing the environmental performance and user experience of six Jutin shelters with adjacent tarpaulin shelters across three seasons. We conducted a mixed-method study, monitoring indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and illuminance, and conducting 10 in-depth interviews (IDIs), four focus group discussions (FGDs), and four key informant interviews (KIIs). A difference-in-difference (DiD) approach was used to compare indoor–outdoor temperature differences between Jutin and tarp shelters. Jutin shelters provided statistically significant daytime cooling advantages during the pre-monsoon (DiD: -1.37 °C; 95% CI: −2.63, −0.11; p = 0.041) and monsoon seasons (DiD: -1.76 °C; 95% CI: −3.21, −0.31; p = 0.029). A preliminary indication of improved winter nighttime warmth retention was observed (DiD: +0.91 °C; 95% CI: 0.04, 1.78; p = 0.043), although this requires replication. Jutin roofs transmitted more than ten times the natural light of tarp roofs, reaching 200–400 lx on sunny days and 30–70 lx on overcast days. Initial construction costs were higher for Jutin shelters (USD 1457 vs. USD 1051), but participants generally perceived them as more durable, comfortable, and secure. These pilot findings suggest that Jutin may improve indoor environmental quality in humanitarian shelters; larger studies are needed to assess durability, acceptability, life-cycle costs, implementation feasibility, and health outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{jahan2026indoor,
title = {{Indoor thermal comfort and natural light in Jute-based versus tarpaulin shelters: a mixed-methods pilot study in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh}},
author = {Farjana Jahan and Sk.Md. Kamrul Bashar and Abu Mohammed Naser and Mohammad Shamsudduha and Mahbubur Rahman and Sarker Masud Parvez and Abul Hares and Mohammad Saeed Munim and Rezaul Hasan and Mubarak Ahmed Khan and Nazrul Islam and Laura H. Kwong},
journal = {City and Environment Interactions},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.cacint.2026.100504},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cacint.2026.100504},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Indoor thermal comfort and natural light in Jute-based versus tarpaulin shelters: a mixed-methods pilot study in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
AU - Farjana Jahan
AU - Sk.Md. Kamrul Bashar
AU - Abu Mohammed Naser
AU - Mohammad Shamsudduha
AU - Mahbubur Rahman
AU - Sarker Masud Parvez
AU - Abul Hares
AU - Mohammad Saeed Munim
AU - Rezaul Hasan
AU - Mubarak Ahmed Khan
AU - Nazrul Islam
AU - Laura H. Kwong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - City and Environment Interactions
DO - 10.1016/j.cacint.2026.100504
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cacint.2026.100504
AB - Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar live in temporary tarpaulin-and-bamboo shelters that provide limited protection from heat, humidity, winter cold, and poor daylight. This study evaluated Jutin, a jute-fiber composite material, by comparing the environmental performance and user experience of six Jutin shelters with adjacent tarpaulin shelters across three seasons. We conducted a mixed-method study, monitoring indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and illuminance, and conducting 10 in-depth interviews (IDIs), four focus group discussions (FGDs), and four key informant interviews (KIIs). A difference-in-difference (DiD) approach was used to compare indoor–outdoor temperature differences between Jutin and tarp shelters. Jutin shelters provided statistically significant daytime cooling advantages during the pre-monsoon (DiD: -1.37 °C; 95% CI: −2.63, −0.11; p = 0.041) and monsoon seasons (DiD: -1.76 °C; 95% CI: −3.21, −0.31; p = 0.029). A preliminary indication of improved winter nighttime warmth retention was observed (DiD: +0.91 °C; 95% CI: 0.04, 1.78; p = 0.043), although this requires replication. Jutin roofs transmitted more than ten times the natural light of tarp roofs, reaching 200–400 lx on sunny days and 30–70 lx on overcast days. Initial construction costs were higher for Jutin shelters (USD 1457 vs. USD 1051), but participants generally perceived them as more durable, comfortable, and secure. These pilot findings suggest that Jutin may improve indoor environmental quality in humanitarian shelters; larger studies are needed to assess durability, acceptability, life-cycle costs, implementation feasibility, and health outcomes.
SN - 2590-2520
ER -