3.3. Decision Making Levels in Housing

And also, this is a kind of partial upgrade with reclaimed materials they have the developed with the kind of whatever, they have able to procure from the past site or with their feasibilities, they have made some modifications to their shelters. And within a month 53% of the house owners have started to upgrade their shelters and this is very quick, within a month if this kind of change is 53%.

This chunk discusses how households are able to gradually upgrade their shelters using reclaimed materials. It highlights that 53% of house owners made modifications to their housing within one month, showcasing the speed and effectiveness of these incremental upgrades. The use of reclaimed materials indicates an innovative approach to improving living conditions by using available resources.

Imagine a family living in a small house deciding to improve their living conditions. Instead of building an entire new home, they replace old doors with reclaimed ones and add new walls. Just like a student who improves their grades by tackling one subject at a time instead of all subjects simultaneously, this approach allows families to make steady progress without overwhelming themselves.

The priorities were first doors, second walls and the third is windows, so the ventilation aspect. And some beneficiaries bought their own timber for walls, doors and windows as we have seen in this complete set is in a timber.

Here, the text reveals the order in which upgrades are made: starting with doors, then walls, and finally windows. This order is likely based on immediate needs such as security and air quality. Some beneficiaries took the initiative to procure timber themselves, showing self-sufficiency and resourcefulness in the upgrade process.

Think about fixing your bike. You would first ensure the brakes (like doors) work well for safety, then check the frame for sturdiness (like walls), and finally make sure the tires are inflated for smooth riding (like windows). Prioritizing the most critical issues can make a big difference in functionality.

Others sold a plastic sheeting and hired the local artisans to build adobe walls. They have given it back and they sold it in the market and they could able to get some money and they could able to put some more money and built the adobe walls and so this whole process you know, it’s all showing up an incremental process depending on each household what kind of economic feasibility they had, what kind of infill they are responding to their needs and demands.

In this part, the text illustrates how some households sold plastic sheeting to hire local artisans for building durable adobe walls. It highlights the economic decisions each household makes based on their financial situation and specific needs. This showcases an incremental development model where families adjust their housing gradually based on available resources.

Consider a local farmer who, after selling some fruits and vegetables, can afford to hire a builder to improve their home. Instead of attempting everything at once, they use their funds smartly and make gradual improvements, reflecting the household approach described.

And some paid for the labour in kind using the tools they were given in the shelter kit and some sold their tools once shelters were complete to buy household furnishings.

This chunk mentions how some households opted to pay for labor using tools provided in shelter kits instead of cash. Others chose to sell their tools after completing their shelters to finance household items, indicating a flexible and utilitarian approach to economic management in the housing upgrade process.

Think of a scenario where friends help each other move furniture. Instead of accepting money, they might trade skills or items, like offering a meal in return for help. This barter system shows community spirit and practicality in how people can manage limited resources.

So, with this, the government have understood that yes there is a possibility that to scale up this process. So now what they did was they developed from 18 square meters to 20 square meters and the permanent walls of adobe and timber and they launched the project build about 40,000 low cost houses.

This section highlights a positive government response to observed improvements in housing. The government's initiative to increase the size of homes from 18 to 20 square meters and to build 40,000 low-cost houses shows recognition of the effective incremental upgrades by families. It reflects a larger planning perspective that recognizes community-led changes.

Just like a school that sees students successfully using resources to study better and decides to increase funding for educational programs, the government’s expansion of housing projects indicates they value and support community initiatives.

But when you talk about the theoretical understanding of it, you know as I said you in the beginning transition shelter is not a noun, it is a verb, it is a process. So, as Christopher Alexander describes a house is an activity which is ‘created gradually, as a direct result of living which is happening in it and around it’ by people who spend only what they can afford.

This portion emphasizes that housing is not just static; it’s an ongoing activity or process. According to Christopher Alexander, a house becomes a home through continuous interactions and modifications by its inhabitants based on their financial capabilities and needs. This challenges the traditional view of housing as a product.

Consider a garden that evolves over time. Initially, it may just have seeds planted, but as a gardener tends to it, adding flowers and adjusting layouts, it transitions into a beautiful and personalized space. Similarly, a house evolves as people live in and modify it.

When you start living in it, you realize that you know, what you need and accordingly people start amending that, not only within the house, around the house.

This highlights the importance of personal experience in determining housing needs. As residents inhabit spaces, they learn what additional changes are necessary to optimize their living conditions. This adaptive approach ensures that housing is responsive to the genuine requirements of its users.

Imagine a student who starts studying in a new library and soon realizes some areas are too noisy or dark. They modify their study habits, such as moving to quieter spots or bringing extra lighting. The lessons learned shape their environment just as homeowners adapt their spaces.

John F.C. Turner on his work in Mexico, housing by people. So, that is where he talks about the use value derived from this approach was more significant than the market value, as what housing does for the user is more important than what it is.

Turner's perspective emphasizes that the value of housing should be assessed based on its functionality and how it improves the quality of life for individuals, rather than merely its market price. This approach values the experiences and practical benefits of housing over its financial worth.

Consider a family heirloom that’s worth little in the market but holds immense sentimental value. It may not have high resale value, but its personal significance is priceless. Understanding this deep connection can apply similarly to how housing impacts lives beyond its financial valuation.

John Habraken supports on 3 levels of decision making; one is the tissue and the support which is the base building. The tissue refers to the urban fabric and the support refers to the base building and the fitout refers to the infill, what the people have done in their houses.

Habraken introduces a framework of three decision-making levels: tissue (the overarching urban layout), support (the structural components of buildings), and fitout (the individual customization by residents). This structure allows for different entities, such as communities, agencies, and municipalities, to support housing development at their respective levels.

Think of constructing a custom pizza at a restaurant. The dough and sauce represent the support, the restaurant’s layout is the tissue, and the toppings you choose signify the fitout. Each layer contributes to the final product and showcases how multiple levels influence the outcome.

And similarly, buildings are also essentially made of 6 time-bound layers. This is space time phenomenon which Ian Bentley also talks about it. One is a site, which generally does not change...

This section outlines that buildings consist of six layers that change over varying timelines, including the permanent site, structure, skin, services, space plan, and stuff (like furniture). Understanding these layers helps in planning for upgrades and renovations by recognizing which components can evolve over time.

Imagine layering a cake. While the base cake (the site) remains constant, the decoration (the skin) and layers of icing (the services) can change. Knowing which parts are stable and which are more fluid allows bakers to create designs that suit any occasion.

Similarly, Ian Bentley also talks about how different layers of the space time the underlying topography, the natural system and the public linkage system and the plots and the buildings and the components which changes at different time aspects.

This chunk highlights how different aspects of a housing project, including the environment, connections to public spaces, and infrastructure, evolve over time. The interplay of these layers requires consideration in planning to ensure that housing develops sustainably and effectively.

Consider how urban planning responds to changes in the community’s needs. When a new park is built nearby, it influences surrounding property values and how residents choose to set up their homes, much like how changes in a city layout can affect housing decisions.

Once a kit is developed, if a standard structure is acceptable in an owner-driven process and this kind of intervention is upgradeable temporary shelter than budgeting, procurement and distribution of standardized kits is a relatively small, simple operation.

This part describes the importance of developing standardized kits for housing upgrades that are manageable and easy to distribute. Such frameworks can simplify budgeting and resource allocation in transitional housing projects, allowing those in need to efficiently improve living conditions.

Think about using a DIY furniture kit for building a desk. It provides all necessary parts and instructions, making it straightforward to assemble. Having a similar approach in housing can ensure families have the resources they need for effective upgrades without complicated processes.

And we have to understand when we are dealing with this kind of poor communities, one has to look at the livelihoods framework, it is not just only a shelter and this is where, the defeats ASAL framework to sustainable livelihood framework is very apt...

This section emphasizes the need to consider the livelihoods of communities when addressing housing issues. It points out that shelter alone does not solve the problem; understanding how households access resources, faced with vulnerabilities and risks, is crucial for long-term solutions.

Imagine providing a fishing boat to a community. While that boat is important, it must be paired with knowledge on fishing techniques and access to clean water for the community to thrive. Housing initiatives similarly need to integrate broader social and economic factors to be effective.

The enabling approach, how we can enable this process and one is the finance you know because this is one the enabling approach recognizes the bottleneck to housing created limited access to finance...

This section outlines several critical components for enabling housing processes, including financial access, land tenure, materials, and labor. It emphasizes the role of governmental frameworks and community governance in creating supportive environments for housing development.

Consider how a bicycle shop owner might seek funding to expand their business. Without access to capital, they struggle to grow. Similarly, communities need structured support to secure housing effectively, including financial systems and legal frameworks that support their growth.

Also, the materials and labour because materials have a major cost implications and also inappropriate building regulations can inhabit the production of housing. So, the legal frameworks...

This chunk focuses on community engagement as a process of participatory governance in the housing sector. It discusses how individual and collective involvement in planning and implementation leads to more effective outcomes in housing projects.

Think of a neighborhood getting together to plan a local park. When everyone contributes ideas and helps out, the result is a space that reflects the community’s needs and desires. Just like that, community involvement in housing ensures projects serve the people living there effectively.

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