Abstract
Rapid urbanization, climate-related disruptions, housing instability, and increasing pressure on urban
infrastructure systems require new approaches capable of supporting sustainable and resilient urban development. In
this context, rapid-deploy modular housing represents a promising alternative to conventional construction models due
to its adaptability, transport efficiency, scalability, and potential for lifecycle reuse. This paper examines rapid-deploy
modular housing as an adaptive urban infrastructure solution from economic, sustainability, and resilience
perspectives.
The study builds upon a patented prefabricated, foldable, and transportable construction system developed by
Romanian engineer Nicolae Mihoci (Romanian Patent RO 106900 B1), representing an early and innovative approach
to modular mobile housing. Originally conceived as an engineering solution focused on rapid-deploy and transport
optimization, the Mihoci system is reinterpreted within the contemporary context of sustainable urban infrastructure
and resilient city development.
The research adopts a conceptual and scenario-based methodology, integrating literature on smart cities,
modular construction, circular economy, and urban resilience. Key aspects analyzed include deployment efficiency,
transport optimization, operational flexibility, lifecycle reusability, and the integration of decentralized energy and
digital monitoring systems. A pilot modular housing cluster scenario is used to illustrate potential applications in post
disaster environments and temporary high-demand urban contexts.
The findings suggest that rapid-deploy modular housing systems can significantly improve deployment speed,
reduce logistical costs, support resource efficiency, and enhance urban adaptability compared to conventional
temporary housing solutions. By connecting a historically grounded engineering innovation with contemporary
sustainability and resilience challenges, the paper contributes to the understanding of modular housing as a strategic
component of future adaptive urban infrastructure systems.
infrastructure systems require new approaches capable of supporting sustainable and resilient urban development. In
this context, rapid-deploy modular housing represents a promising alternative to conventional construction models due
to its adaptability, transport efficiency, scalability, and potential for lifecycle reuse. This paper examines rapid-deploy
modular housing as an adaptive urban infrastructure solution from economic, sustainability, and resilience
perspectives.
The study builds upon a patented prefabricated, foldable, and transportable construction system developed by
Romanian engineer Nicolae Mihoci (Romanian Patent RO 106900 B1), representing an early and innovative approach
to modular mobile housing. Originally conceived as an engineering solution focused on rapid-deploy and transport
optimization, the Mihoci system is reinterpreted within the contemporary context of sustainable urban infrastructure
and resilient city development.
The research adopts a conceptual and scenario-based methodology, integrating literature on smart cities,
modular construction, circular economy, and urban resilience. Key aspects analyzed include deployment efficiency,
transport optimization, operational flexibility, lifecycle reusability, and the integration of decentralized energy and
digital monitoring systems. A pilot modular housing cluster scenario is used to illustrate potential applications in post
disaster environments and temporary high-demand urban contexts.
The findings suggest that rapid-deploy modular housing systems can significantly improve deployment speed,
reduce logistical costs, support resource efficiency, and enhance urban adaptability compared to conventional
temporary housing solutions. By connecting a historically grounded engineering innovation with contemporary
sustainability and resilience challenges, the paper contributes to the understanding of modular housing as a strategic
component of future adaptive urban infrastructure systems.
Cuvinte cheie
modular housing; adaptive urban infrastructure; urban resilience; sustainable development; rapid-deploy; economic efficiency; circular economy
Istoric articol
Publicat
26.06.2026
Informații autori
Citare recomandată
EUGEN-GABRIEL GARAIS (2026). RAPID-DEPLOY MODULAR HOUSING AS ADAPTIVE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE: ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE PERSPECTIVES. Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu Economics Series, 1(3), 423–433. https://doi.org/10.65631/jes.3.2026.40
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