Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design

Anna Conzatti; Noorullah Kuchai; Elif Keser; Dima Albadra; Daniel Fosas; David Coley

Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design

Anna Conzatti, Noorullah Kuchai, Elif Keser, Dima Albadra, Daniel Fosas, David Coley

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

Overcrowded humanitarian shelters often suffer from poor ventilation, leading to condensation, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. This study introduces SheltAir, the first co-created digital tool designed to help aid workers estimate natural ventilation rates, indoor CO₂ levels, and airborne disease transmission risks in shelters. The tool, developed in collaboration with 42 NGOs, utilizes approximately 20 input variables to model indoor air quality in over 3,100 global locations. SheltAir was validated against advanced network airflow models (EnergyPlus Airflow Network and Contam) using real shelter data from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Nepal. Results indicate that SheltAir provides accurate CO₂ predictions while requiring no prior expertise in airflow modelling. Usability trials with 12 humanitarian workers showed that first-time users could simulate shelter ventilation within 30 minutes, improving efficiency in the field. The tool is currently being adopted for emergency response planning in Afghanistan.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference
Editors	Olafur H. Wallevik, Vincent Elijiah Merida, Sylgja Dogg Sigurjonsdottir
Publisher	International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
Pages	573-579
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9789935539762
Publication status	Published - 9 Apr 2025
Event	ISIAQ International Conference Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Reykjavik, Iceland Duration: 8 Jun 2025 → 11 Jun 2025

Publication series

Name	Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference

Conference

Conference	ISIAQ International Conference Healthy Buildings Europe 2025
Country/Territory	Iceland
City	Reykjavik
Period	8/06/25 → 11/06/25

Keywords

Airborne disease
Building modelling
Humanitarian response
Indoor air quality
Natural ventilation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Geography, Planning and Development
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

Conzatti, A., Kuchai, N., Keser, E., Albadra, D., Fosas, D., & Coley, D. (2025). Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design. In O. H. Wallevik, V. E. Merida, & S. D. Sigurjonsdottir (Eds.), Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference (pp. 573-579). (Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference). International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate.

Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design. / Conzatti, Anna; Kuchai, Noorullah; Keser, Elif et al.
Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference. ed. / Olafur H. Wallevik; Vincent Elijiah Merida; Sylgja Dogg Sigurjonsdottir. International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 2025. p. 573-579 (Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference).

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Conzatti, A, Kuchai, N, Keser, E , Albadra, D, Fosas, D & Coley, D 2025, Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design. in OH Wallevik, VE Merida & SD Sigurjonsdottir (eds), Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference. Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference, International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, pp. 573-579, ISIAQ International Conference Healthy Buildings Europe 2025, Reykjavik, Iceland, 8/06/25.

Conzatti A, Kuchai N, Keser E , Albadra D, Fosas D, Coley D. Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design. In Wallevik OH, Merida VE, Sigurjonsdottir SD, editors, Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference. International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate. 2025. p. 573-579. (Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference).

Conzatti, Anna ; Kuchai, Noorullah ; Keser, Elif et al. / Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design. Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference. editor / Olafur H. Wallevik ; Vincent Elijiah Merida ; Sylgja Dogg Sigurjonsdottir. International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 2025. pp. 573-579 (Healthy Buildings Europe 2025 - Proceedings of an ISIAQ International Conference).

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abstract = "Overcrowded humanitarian shelters often suffer from poor ventilation, leading to condensation, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. This study introduces SheltAir, the first co-created digital tool designed to help aid workers estimate natural ventilation rates, indoor CO2 levels, and airborne disease transmission risks in shelters. The tool, developed in collaboration with 42 NGOs, utilizes approximately 20 input variables to model indoor air quality in over 3,100 global locations. SheltAir was validated against advanced network airflow models (EnergyPlus Airflow Network and Contam) using real shelter data from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Nepal. Results indicate that SheltAir provides accurate CO2 predictions while requiring no prior expertise in airflow modelling. Usability trials with 12 humanitarian workers showed that first-time users could simulate shelter ventilation within 30 minutes, improving efficiency in the field. The tool is currently being adopted for emergency response planning in Afghanistan.",

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AU - Fosas, Daniel

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AB - Overcrowded humanitarian shelters often suffer from poor ventilation, leading to condensation, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. This study introduces SheltAir, the first co-created digital tool designed to help aid workers estimate natural ventilation rates, indoor CO2 levels, and airborne disease transmission risks in shelters. The tool, developed in collaboration with 42 NGOs, utilizes approximately 20 input variables to model indoor air quality in over 3,100 global locations. SheltAir was validated against advanced network airflow models (EnergyPlus Airflow Network and Contam) using real shelter data from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Nepal. Results indicate that SheltAir provides accurate CO2 predictions while requiring no prior expertise in airflow modelling. Usability trials with 12 humanitarian workers showed that first-time users could simulate shelter ventilation within 30 minutes, improving efficiency in the field. The tool is currently being adopted for emergency response planning in Afghanistan.

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ER -

Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Other files and links

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Dataset for "Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for shelter design"

Cite this

Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for humanitarian shelter design

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Other files and links

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Datasets

Dataset for "Co-creation of an airflow and COVID-19 transmission risk model for shelter design"

Cite this