There are many documents and articles that describe proper post-tsunami housing re-construction strategies in a very broad sense. An important theme in all of these documents is that proper strategy can achieve much more than mere cost effective housing. For instance they discuss how the process itself can be used to provide temporary employment, a sense of belonging and a sense of community among many other things. However there are many organizations and individuals interested and involved in housing re-construction projects who are either unaware of these ideas or are unable to use it for the lack of details and proper guidance. For example I am at least aware of two small organizations, interested in spending something around US $100,000 on building houses, whose idea of cost effective housing is to find the cheapest housing plan and the cheapest contractor availbale. When I talked about some of the afore referred ideas with them, I got the impression that I was not giving them sufficient details to be of any use. Therefore I wonder if there is a way of coming up with some guidelines in the form of a manual or ''toolkit'' for proper housing that will be imense help to such people.
said...
I believe there is a way to build cost effective housing, employ and encourage the locals, and reduce dependence on "contractors". I am with a construction company in Florida. We withstood the hurricane Charlie and Ivan with this product. We could easily build the 500 sf shell in 1 day with 2 people and very few tools. The foundation would be the most difficult aspect. The house would be both very sturdy and energy efficient.
I am preparing a proposal for the Red Cross and would love to see this concept take-off. I would also like to find out more about what kind of housing construction is underway and what it costs.
Thank you,
culearn@yahoo.com