MUD RESCU™ (Mud Reusable Emergency Shelter Cluster Unit) is an innovative humanitarian shelter concept developed by Urban Steps in collaboration with the Breshna Foundation for Culture. It responds to one of today’s most urgent challenges: providing safe, climate-resilient shelter for displaced communities living under extreme conditions.

 

A Vision Grounded in Heritage

 

The concept builds on the architectural vision of Abdullah Breshna (1933–2021), one of Afghanistan’s foremost modern architects and urban planners. Between 1980 and 1987, he taught earthen construction at German universities, presenting it not as a bygone craft but as both an ecological necessity and a cultural resource for regions under strain.

(Further insights in our [Annual Report 2021/22] →)

 

Abdullah Breshna’s writings and teaching sought to raise awareness for mud as a contemporary and responsible building material – not as a relic of the past, but as a resource for the future. His vision—that architecture must be anchored in dignity, community, and environmental responsibility—remains at the heart of MUD RESCU™ today.

 

Why MUD RESCU™?

 

Conventional displacement camps are dominated by plastic tents — structures that are often unbearably hot, short-lived, and environmentally damaging. MUD RESCU™ offers a viable, scalable alternative:

 

·         Climate-resilient – up to 15 °C cooler in summer than standard tents

·         Low-carbon – zero plastic waste, approx. 90% fewer CO₂ emissions

·         Privacy-oriented – joint units provide both protected interiors and semi-shared thresholds for safe interaction

·         Locally rooted – materials and techniques build on Afghan construction knowledge while remaining adaptable to other contexts

 

From Concept to Pilot

 

The first pilot phase will demonstrate how traditional knowledge can be adapted to urgent humanitarian contexts. Designed for rapid deployment, MUD RESCU™ is scalable for both urban and rural emergency contexts in climate-stressed regions.

 

Partnerships & Support

 

MUD RESCU™ is developed by:

 

• Breshna Foundation for Culture – cultural framing and heritage integration
• Urban Steps – vision, design, and coordination
• MyGrandStory gGmbH – awareness and outreach

 

Donations are facilitated through MyGrandStory gGmbH (non-profit, registered in Germany), which is authorised to issue tax-deductible receipts.

 

Learn More

For detailed data, design principles, and implementation strategies, see the extended documentation:

Download the full MUD RESCU™ Info Sheet (PDF) →

Includes technical specifications, comparative performance data, and the scalability roadmap