2.1. Scaling Up the Project

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%. The priorities were first doors, second walls and the third is windows, so the ventilation aspect.

This chunk discusses how house owners are upgrading their shelters using available reclaimed materials. Within a month, 53% of the owners began improvements, and their main focus was on enhancing essential elements such as doors, walls, and windows to improve ventilation. This reflects the immediate needs of the inhabitants and how quickly they can take steps to improve their living conditions.

Think of it like a person moving into a new apartment. They may start by fixing the most crucial things first, like getting a front door that locks well, covering the windows for privacy, and ensuring the walls are stable. Just like a new renter, these homeowners prioritized their upgrades based on what they felt was most necessary for comfort and safety.

And some beneficiaries bought their own timber for walls, doors and windows... Others sold a plastic sheeting and hired the local artisans to build adobe walls.

In this part, we see beneficiaries taking action to enhance their homes by purchasing materials like timber for construction. Additionally, some sold provided plastic sheeting to fund local artisans to create more permanent adobe walls. This illustrates how households are utilizing their available resources and the local economy to improve their shelters.

Imagine someone who makes a little extra money by selling a gadget they no longer use. They could take that money to pay a skilled neighbor to help fix their roof. Similarly, these homeowners are finding creative solutions to fund their improvements by leveraging what they already have.

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.

The chunk reveals that the government recognized the success of the initial upgrading process and decided to expand it. They increased the size of the homes from 18 sqm to 20 sqm and moved towards constructing permanent adobe and timber walls. Their initiative aimed to build around 40,000 low-cost houses, indicating a significant scaling effort to combat housing shortages.

Consider a school that realizes a tutoring program is very effective. Seeing this success, the school decides to expand the program to include more students, updating the curriculum to offer advanced materials. Just like that, the government is scaling their housing initiative based on the positive outcomes seen from the initial upgrades.

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 section emphasizes that shelter is not just a physical structure but a dynamic process. It involves continuous improvement based on the residents’ interactions and experiences. Christopher Alexander's perspective highlights that homes evolve as people live in them, adapting to their needs and financial capabilities over time.

Think of a garden that you cultivate. At first, it's just soil, but as you plant, water, and nurture it, flowers and vegetables gradually emerge. Similarly, a home is cultivated through the experiences and modifications by its residents, turning a basic structure into a personal haven.

And this is the similar observations made from John F.C. Turner on his work in Mexico, housing by people... So, this is not a product, it is a process how man evolves, a house into a home.

This chunk references John F.C. Turner, who emphasizes that the value of housing comes more from its use rather than its market price. Turner argues that the housing process should focus on the needs and experiences of the residents. The transformation of a house into a home reflects personal investment and adaptation over time.

Consider a cooking recipe. The ingredients are like the components of a house, but how you mix and cook them creates a unique dish tailored to your taste. A house is similarly transformed into a home through the personal touches and adjustments made by its occupants.

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