Tsunami low cost housing reconstruction

[Bernard Lefebvre]

With the destruction that occurred following the tsunami disaster we believe that reconstruction projects and programs should look to light industrialization in the production of building materials and in the construction process itself, promote information and technology transfer for better sustainable development.

Reconstruction projects can be successful if they are rooted in the community, present innovative solutions and address livelihood by making it possible for some people to earn a living and generate income from these projects. Local populations should be involved in the production of building materials they will use and in the reconstruction process itself. After all it is their houses that will be rebuilt. These projects should contribute locally to social and economic growth and not serve as ‘foreign’ markets.

Those offering light industrialized solutions must be aware that they are only facilitators, filling a gap that must legitimatize expectations and incubate new micro and small-scale enterprises giving access to technology, building capacity and propagating it through the raising of funds.

At Habitech, we have been addressing the problem of delivering affordable low-cost housing by developing building material and construction techniques produced and used by unskilled labour which while lowering the cost of housing procure good and solid dwellings by setting up production facility, creating employment and generating income for local populations. Houses built this way undercut traditional and conventional construction system by as much as 30-50% and resist earthquakes, floods and thyphoons.

The primary objective of rehabilitation projects should be to make building materials available for rebuilding using self-help or mutual-aid methods. Self-help and mutual aid construction techniques are generally considered to be the only way for low-income families to participate in house reconstruction in disaster-affected areas.

We propose establishing incubators where groups can be trained in the management and operations of micro, small and medium scale building material production facilities giving management and technical assistance.

At the onset, potential groups can identified and those interested trained in becoming producers at typical facilities of incubators. Funds to establish and equip production units can be supplied through rotating funds, NGOs, donations and existing programs supported by international agencies.

When considering what type of building material to produce, the building materials and the corresponding construction methods should be specially suited for easy placement by unskilled labour. The building components developed at Habitech are all cement based and easy to prefabricate (we have many different types of equipment configurations for production facilities). These components can easily be put in place without the need for heavy-equipment, as they are interlocking and self aligning; allowing families and friends to participate in the construction process.

We can provide a variety of plans and instructions for families to follow in rebuilding basic core houses as we have done in many countries in the past.

For more information visit: http://habitech-international.com

[VANDANA]

thats a brilliant thought
all i can say is taht new communities could be developed along the same lines as that of auroville
more information could be taken from www.auroville.com
avery nice

[monika_cca]

yup ...u must see the work in auroville...its amazing....

[keshav_architect]

I think v can do much more with that kind of money! or is it misquoted, perhaps I don't know....