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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Incremental Shelter Upgrades
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Today, we'll explore how communities upgraded their shelters. Can anyone share some key materials they might use when improving their living conditions?
They might use timber and plastic sheeting!
What role does selling materials play?
Great question! Selling materials like plastic sheeting helped fund the hiring of local artisans for building. This strategy shows how economic feasibility drives change. Remember the acronym 'U.P.G.R.A.D.E.' for understanding this process: 'Utilizing materials, Prioritizing needs, Generating funds, Rebuilding, Adapting, Designing for individual needs, and Enhancing living conditions.'
So, it's about what each household can afford?
Absolutely, it’s about tailoring changes based on individual economic situations and community demands. This entrepreneurial spirit illustrates the adaptability of these households.
Meaning it's not just about building but progressing over time?
Exactly! Remember, upgrading shelters is a continuous process. Let’s summarize: communities use reclaimed materials, prioritize modifications based on need, and adapt through economic resources.
Theoretical Frameworks in Housing
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Next, let’s talk about the theoretical frameworks around housing. How do you think these frameworks influence the development of transitional shelters?
They probably provide guidance on how to approach building and design.
Exactly! Think about Christopher Alexander’s perspective: he said that a house is an activity created gradually. This is essential to recognize housing as a process. Can someone summarize what John Turner emphasized regarding use value versus market value?
He argued that the actual use and function of housing is more important than its market price!
Good point! Turner stresses that the relationship between people and their homes is crucial. Can someone explain Habraken's three levels of decision-making?
Sure! They are tissue, support, and infill. Tissue is the urban fabric, support is the building structure, and infill is the personal adjustments made within the space.
Spot on! So, to recap, housing involves not only physical structures but also economic and social processes driving its development.
Space-Time Layers of Buildings
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Let's dive into the concept of space-time layers in buildings. What are some layers you think exist in a house?
There are foundations, walls, and ceilings.
Don't forget plumbing and electrical systems, those change over time!
Precisely! There are six layers, ranging from the unchanging site to frequently renovated layers like furniture. Let’s remember the acronym 'F.S.S.P.S.S.' to help: 'Foundations, Structure, Skin, Plan, Services, Stuff.' How often do you think the space plan changes?
Maybe every few years!
Exactly! Commercial spaces can change much more frequently, even every three years. Make sure to take note of how each layer interacts with time as we summarize: buildings have distinct layers that change at different frequencies, reflecting both utility and adaptability.
The Role of Community in Housing
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Now, let’s look at the role of community in housing development. How essential is community participation?
I think it's crucial for understanding needs!
It allows for better resource allocation too.
Exactly! The participatory approach engages both the individual and communal aspects of housing. Can someone explain the livelihoods framework mentioned in the text?
It examines how communities access resources to improve their living conditions, factoring in social, economic, and human aspects.
Good understanding! Communities can be empowered to become self-reliant. Let’s summarize this session by recognizing the importance of community engagement and resource accessibility in housing development.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section explores how communities have modified their shelters using locally available materials, emphasizing the role of economic feasibility in these changes. It illustrates the theoretical frameworks of housing development, including how transitional shelters evolve over time and the significance of participatory processes in creating more resilient living conditions.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
In this section, we delve into the concept of transitional shelters, highlighting a practical case where communities upgraded their living conditions using reclaimed materials. Within one month, 53% of homeowners undertook upgrades focusing on doors, walls, and ventilation features.
Beneficiaries used materials such as timber and plastic sheeting, and in some cases sold unused materials to hire local artisans for adobe wall construction. This process is dynamic and varies based on individual economic capabilities and community needs. The government recognized the potential for broader implementation, transitioning from 18-square-meter to 20-square-meter homes and aiming to build about 40,000 low-cost houses by partnering with UNHCR and other NGOs.
Theoretical insights by notable thinkers in housing, like Christopher Alexander and John Turner, emphasize viewing housing not as a product, but as a developmental process shaped by user experience. The notion is that what homes provide to inhabitants (use value) is of greater significance than their market value. John Habraken's framework introduces three decision-making levels—tissue, support, and infill—pertaining to housing and urban development.
Ian Bentley elaborates on buildings comprising six time-bound layers reflecting different change frequencies, suggesting that adequate intervention can streamline the creation of sustainable living environments. Lastly, the section underscores the significance of a livelihoods framework in developing owner-driven processes and acknowledges financial accessibility as a critical bottleneck in housing provision.
Audio Book
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Incremental Upgrades of Shelters
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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.
Detailed Explanation
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.
Examples & Analogies
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.
Resourcefulness in Building
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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.
Detailed Explanation
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.
Examples & Analogies
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.
Understanding Transitional Shelter as a Process
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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.
Detailed Explanation
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.
Examples & Analogies
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.
The Concept of Housing as a Process
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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.
Detailed Explanation
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.
Examples & Analogies
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.
Decision-Making in Housing Development
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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.
Detailed Explanation
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.
Examples & Analogies
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.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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Incremental Upgrades: The process through which households gradually improve their shelters based on needs and available resources.
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Housing Process: The idea that housing is a continual evolution rather than a finalized product.
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Three Levels of Decision Making: Tissue (urban fabric), Support (structural base), and Infill (personal adjustments).
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Space-Time Layers: Buildings consist of layers that change at different rates over time.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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A family deciding to upgrade their roof first to prevent leaks, then focusing on walls for better insulation reflects the incremental upgrade process.
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Using community workshops to teach residents how to improve their housing shows community engagement and enhances resource sharing.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
🎵 Rhymes Time
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Upgrade your space, make it grand, with timber and sheeting, take a stand.
📖 Fascinating Stories
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Once in a small town, families began upgrading their homes with the help of their neighbors. They started slowly with roofs and soon transformed their houses into welcoming homes, illustrating that change can come from collaboration.
🧠 Other Memory Gems
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U.P.G.R.A.D.E. - Utilize materials, Prioritize needs, Generate funds, Rebuild, Adapt, Design, Enhance living conditions.
🎯 Super Acronyms
S.P.I.T.S. - Structure, Plan, Infill, Time-bound layers, Support.
Flash Cards
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Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Transitional Shelter
Definition:
Temporary housing that develops incrementally over time based on user needs and resources.
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Term: Use Value
Definition:
The practical benefits derived from housing, as opposed to its market value.
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Term: Tissue
Definition:
The urban fabric or layout of a community, which typically changes less frequently.
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Term: Support
Definition:
The structural base of a building that can be modified over time.
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Term: Infill
Definition:
The interior elements of a building that are often customized by the inhabitants.
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Term: Livelihoods Framework
Definition:
A model assessing how individuals or communities access resources to improve living conditions.