4.2. Space-Time Phenomena

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.

In this chunk, we discuss how people have been upgrading their living conditions using materials that can be sourced or salvaged. Within just one month, a significant 53% of homeowners made improvements to their shelters. The focus of these improvements has been on the most crucial aspects of a home: doors, walls, and windows, primarily to ensure good ventilation. This shows quick action and prioritization based on immediate needs.

Imagine a community where people begin to fix their homes after a storm. They have limited resources, so they prioritize repairing broken doors to keep out the wind, reinforcing walls to protect against further damage, and ensuring that windows can open for fresh air. Just like in a home improvement show, the residents are focusing on easy changes that make a big difference, rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

And some beneficiaries bought their own timber for walls, doors and windows as we have seen in this complete set is in a timber. For the outset and used the plastic sheeting provided to the line of the walls, so they covered with a kind of partial covering with a plastic sheet. Others sold a plastic sheeting and hired the local artisans to build adobe walls. So, 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.

Here, we see various strategies beneficiaries employed to enhance their shelters. Some individuals purchased their own timber to create walls, doors, and windows, while others utilized plastic sheets as temporary coverings. Additionally, some beneficiaries sold their plastic sheeting to hire local artisans, which allowed them to afford better adobe walls. This shows a community's resourcefulness in leveraging available materials and human skills to improve their living conditions.

Think of a DIY project where people take on various roles. One person might use leftover wood from their old furniture to build a new chair, while another might sell books they no longer read, using that money to hire a craftsman to build a table. Each small action contributes to a bigger purpose of creating a comfortable home that suits their needs.

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. So, by the end of March 2009, it is about 16, 240 were built and mainly with the partnership of UNHCR and MoSSP.

This chunk illustrates the government’s response to the success of the incremental upgrades in shelters. Recognizing the potential for improvement, they expanded the standard shelter size and initiated a project to build around 40,000 low-cost houses. By March 2009, over 16,000 houses had been completed, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Imagine a successful neighborhood improvement project where residents initially build small community gardens. When they see the enthusiasm from the neighborhoods, the local government steps in to help expand the gardens into larger community parks, engaging more people and resources to enhance the community quality of life. Much like how small steps lead to larger changes.

So, 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.

In this part, we delve into a deeper understanding of what makes a house a home. The idea presented is that shelter should be viewed not as a finished product but as an ongoing process. According to Christopher Alexander, a house evolves based on how people live and interact within it, shaping it over time according to their needs. This suggests that the act of creating and improving homes is continuous, reflecting personal and community growth.

Think of a garden that starts with just a few planted seeds. As seasons change, the gardener tends to it, adding new plants, changing layouts, and responding to the seasons’ needs. Just like gardens, homes are constantly being shaped by the hands that cultivate them, transforming based on what the inhabitants need and desire at different moments.

And similarly, 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 and the tissue tends to remain the same because it’s a larger content.

This chunk discusses John Habraken's framework of three levels of decision-making in housing development: tissue, support, and fitout. 'Tissue' refers to the broader urban setting that remains constant, 'support' indicates the foundational building structures, and 'fitout' pertains to the personal modifications made by the inhabitants. This framework illustrates how different components of housing change at different rates, reflecting the dynamic nature of urban development.

Imagine a university campus. The buildings (support) may remain for decades, the layout of pathways (tissue) may adapt over time as more students arrive, and the interior decor of student dorms (fitout) might change every year as new students personalize their spaces. Each layer evolves at different times and in response to different needs.

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