Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.
Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Let's start discussing the concept of incremental housing upgrades. Can anyone tell me what that means?
It means people are making gradual improvements to their homes instead of completing everything at once.
Exactly! This process allows households to prioritize what they need first. Can anyone share what those priorities might be?
I think people would focus on essential things like doors first, then walls, and finally windows for ventilation.
Great observation! This aligns with what we've seen in practice. To remember the priority order, think of the acronym 'D-W-W'—Doors, Walls, Windows.
So, the initial focus is always on securing the entrance, right?
Right! Securing the entrance is crucial for safety. Summarizing, upgrading shelters incrementally helps communities manage resources effectively. Can anyone think of an added benefit of this strategy?
It allows them to adapt to their needs while being affordable!
Next, let’s look at community engagement. Why do you think it’s important for inhabitants to modify their living spaces?
Because they know their needs better than anyone else!
Exactly! This leads to personalized homes and fosters a sense of ownership. Can anyone give an example of how modifications might reflect individual needs?
Someone might need more natural light, so they’d prioritize windows.
Precisely! Remembering this can be linked to the idea of 'house as a home'—it’s about individual needs being central in the living space. Let’s summarize this: how does community engagement improve living conditions?
It empowers individuals and ensures that housing meets their unique needs.
Now, let's get into the three levels of decision-making as proposed by John Habraken. Can someone explain what each level entails?
The first is the tissue level which deals with urban fabric, the second is the support level for base buildings, and the third is the infill level where communities make choices.
Correct! To remember, think of 'TSI' for Tissue, Support, Infill. How does engaging at these levels affect housing outcomes?
It allows different stakeholders to contribute, thus creating a comprehensive approach to housing.
Exactly! Each level supports the other, leading to a more sustainable infrastructure. Let’s summarize what we’ve discussed today about how these levels interact.
Finally, let’s discuss how understanding vulnerability context is essential. What does vulnerability context mean?
It’s the external factors that affect how people can access their resources.
Good explanation! How do these factors influence housing improvements?
They determine how easily communities can get materials, money, and support.
Very true! This goes to show that supportive policies and financing are crucial for sustainable outcomes. Summarizing, what are the key areas to consider to improve resource access?
Finance, land tenure, materials availability, and legal frameworks!
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
This section discusses the Sustainable Livelihood Framework as a means to understand how communities can enhance their living conditions. It explains how various factors such as economic feasibility and resource accessibility play crucial roles in the improvement of housing. It further highlights the interplay of socio-economic resources in the context of community-driven processes.
The Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) is acknowledged as a vital approach for understanding how individuals and communities navigate their living conditions, especially after disasters. It focuses on their abilities to access and utilize various types of resources including social, economic, and natural resources. This section outlines that successful housing improvements follow a transitional process characterized by several observed factors:
Through the SLF, the section identifies the potential of empowering communities to create sustainable livelihoods, transitioning from dependency to self-reliance. The framework is not just applicable to the housing sector but is a broader lens through which to examine the complex interplay between human agency, structural constraints, and resource availability.
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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%.
In the first month after receiving assistance, 53% of homeowners made improvements to their shelters. They utilized reclaimed materials and made modifications based on what was feasible for them. The rapid upgrade shows how quickly individuals can respond to their living conditions when support or resources are available.
Imagine a person moving into a new apartment. In just a few weeks, they might replace old lamps, add curtains, and even repaint walls to reflect their style. Similarly, these homeowners are making quick improvements to turn temporary shelters into more comfortable living spaces.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
The priorities were first doors, second walls and the third is windows, so the ventilation aspect.
The homeowners prioritized their upgrades, focusing first on installing doors, then walls, and finally windows, highlighting the importance of security, structure, and ventilation. This shows how certain features are essential for immediate comfort and safety before moving on to aesthetic improvements.
Think of building a basic treehouse. First, you would want a strong floor (walls), then a solid door to keep out intruders, and finally, you would add windows for light and air. This prioritization ensures the treehouse is functional and safe before decorating.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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.
Homeowners employed various economic strategies to afford their upgrades. Some purchased timber to improve their shelters, while others sold plastic sheeting and engaged local artisans for traditional building methods like adobe walls. This illustrates the resourcefulness and adaptability of individuals in managing their livelihoods.
Consider someone who wants to buy a new phone. They might save money from their job, sell an old gadget, or even trade in something valuable they own. Similarly, these homeowners are creatively pooling resources to enhance their living conditions.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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.
Some beneficiaries used the tools provided in the shelter kit to aid in labor for their upgrades. Others opted to sell these tools once their shelters were built to purchase household goods, demonstrating how resources can be transformed into economic opportunities.
Think of it as students using school supplies to assist in projects. After completing, they might sell or trade those supplies to get something else they want, just like homeowners exchanged tools for furnishings.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
So, with this, the government have understood that yes there is a possibility that to scale up this process... they launched the project build about 40,000 low cost houses.
Recognizing the success of initial upgrades, the government decided to scale up the project, aiming to build around 40,000 low-cost houses. This exemplifies how successful small projects can lead to larger initiatives, benefiting more people.
When a local community garden thrives with a few plants, the organizers may decide to expand it to include more plots and invite more people to participate, spreading benefits to a larger community.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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.
The concept of transitional shelter emphasizes that housing isn't just a structure; it's an ongoing process where occupants actively shape their living spaces through their experiences and needs. This view pushes against the idea of static housing, focusing on dynamic living where people continuously improve their environment.
Consider making a home-cooked meal. It's not just about assembling ingredients; it involves ongoing adjustments and creativity to make it delicious. Likewise, creating a home is a continuous process of making it fit the inhabitant's needs.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
So, that is where he talks about the use value derived from this approach was more significant than the market value...
The emphasis on use value means that the benefits housing provides to its users are more crucial than their market value. The focus is on how housing meets human needs and improves living conditions rather than on its financial worth. This perspective acknowledges the significance of housing in enhancing lives.
Imagine receiving a treasured family heirloom that's not worth much financially but holds immense sentimental value. Similarly, what matters in housing is how well it serves the family's needs and enhances their quality of life.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
And similarly, John Habraken supports on 3 levels of decision making; one is the tissue and the support which is the base building...
John Habraken outlines three levels of housing decisions: the 'tissue' (urban layout), 'support' (main structure), and 'infill' (personal modifications). Recognizing that these levels adapt over time allows communities to engage in housing development relevant to their specific needs.
Think of building a sandwich: the bread is the structure (support), the ingredients you choose are your personal touches (infill), and the overall presentation and context is like the tissue. Each part plays a role in creating a satisfying meal, just as each level contributes to effective housing.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
So, this keeps changing very frequently and the system of subdivision allows users to interface with a level that is relevant to them.
As housing needs evolve, the adaptability of the levels where decisions are made helps ensure that residents can respond to their context. This flexibility leads to housing solutions that are responsive to changes in preferences and circumstances.
Consider a school classroom that allows for flexible seating arrangements. As teaching styles or subjects change, students can rearrange their seating or collaborate in different ways, similar to how housing can adapt to varying needs.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Similarly, buildings are also essentially made of 6 time bound layers. This is space time phenomenon which Ian Bentley also talks about it...
Buildings consist of different identifiable layers that reflect time. These layers include the site, structure, surfaces, services, plans, and furnishings. Each layer has a different lifespan and can be upgraded or replaced independently, impacting the overall functionality of the building strategically.
Think of a concert that has an opening act. The main stage setup might endure for years, while different performers and lighting can change daily. Just as each layer can be adjusted without affecting the core, housing can be adapted through its layers.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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...
In addressing housing needs, the focus must extend beyond merely providing shelter; it should encompass understanding the livelihoods and access to resources of communities. Factors like social, economic, and political resources impact their abilities to create sustainable living conditions.
Consider a community garden program that provides seeds and tools. If gardening resources are also combined with training on sustainable practices and community support, the garden can thrive, enhancing the overall quality of life and sustainability.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
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...
Addressing barriers to housing requires understanding financial, regulatory, and material considerations. Limited financing, insecure land tenure, and regulatory challenges can hinder housing initiatives, so creating an enabling environment is crucial to support sustainable housing efforts.
Imagine trying to build a treehouse without nails or tools. Even if you have a fantastic design in mind, lacking essential resources will prevent you from making progress. Similarly, effective housing solutions require the right conditions and support to be successful.
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Also, the materials and labour because materials have a major cost implications and also inappropriate building regulations can inhabit the production of housing...
Engaging communities involves recognizing the importance of material access, labor resources, and the need for tailored building regulations that accommodate local practices. By including community feedback in policy, housing becomes more effective and meaningful.
Consider a food co-op where community members have a say in products offered and even contribute to labor. This grassroots approach ensures everyone’s needs are addressed, leading to a more successful and fulfilling marketplace.
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
Incremental Housing Upgrades: Housing improvements that are made gradually, focusing first on essential needs.
Community Engagement: The active participation of community members in modifying their shelters based on personal needs.
Three Levels of Decision-Making: The interaction between the tissue, support, and infill levels that influences housing quality.
Vulnerability Context: The external factors that affect communities' access to necessary resources.
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
A community member prioritizes upgrading their door for security before addressing window insulation.
A family uses funds from selling unused materials to hire local craftsmen for building their walls.
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
Increments lead to home sweet home, where needs are met, and comfort grown.
Picture a family who first secures their door before adding colorful curtains—it's a journey of progress focusing on what matters first.
Remember 'TSI' for the three levels of decision-making: Tissue, Support, Infill.
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: Incremental Upgrades
Definition:
Gradual improvements made to housing structures, prioritizing essential changes.
Term: Sustainable Livelihood Framework
Definition:
A structure that outlines how individuals and communities utilize various resources for better livelihoods.
Term: Tissue Level
Definition:
The urban fabric or infrastructure within a community.
Term: Support Level
Definition:
The structural components of housing supported by external agencies.
Term: Infill Level
Definition:
Personal modifications made by users within a housing structure.
Term: Vulnerability Context
Definition:
External factors that influence a community's ability to access resources.