Architectural Efforts and Community Participation - 1.2 | 11. Housing Expansion Post-Tsunami | Disaster Preparedness &Planning - Vol 5
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Community-Based Architectural Changes

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we are exploring how communities respond architecturally after disasters. For example, women often start expanding their homes into shops to support family needs. Can anyone give me examples of how this contributes to community resilience?

Student 1
Student 1

It helps families make money and stay connected to their neighbors.

Student 2
Student 2

And it promotes local economy, which is vital for recovery!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This is a great example of participatory architecture. Remember, community engagement is key here. What happens when their living conditions change drastically?

Student 3
Student 3

They might feel isolated or disconnected from their social networks.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! The changes disrupt previous patterns of interaction, which brings us to how architectural design should consider community needs. Let's summarize: Architectural efforts driven by community participation enhance resilience, support economic recovery, and interpersonal relationships.

Mental Mapping and Community Perception

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s discuss mental mapping. Why do you think it's challenging for some community members to engage in activities like drawing mental maps of their neighborhoods?

Student 4
Student 4

Maybe they feel insecure about their drawing skills or don't want to express their feelings?

Student 1
Student 1

It could also be that they are upset about the changes in their environment.

Teacher
Teacher

All valid points! In Tarangambadi, we saw that reluctance to participate corresponded with feelings of loss. As relationships changed, so did their willingness to connect. What do you think the implications of this are?

Student 2
Student 2

It means the design needs to consider emotional and social aspects, not just physical needs.

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely. Involving communities in these discussions not only aids planning but can also restore social networks. Key takeaway: Always consider emotional ties when planning architectural efforts.

Impact of Relocation on Social Structures

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s shift to the impacts of relocation. Why do you think some families choose to move back to their old neighborhoods?

Student 3
Student 3

They might want to be close to friends and family.

Student 4
Student 4

Yeah, and the new places may not feel like home yet.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The sense of belonging to a community is powerful. When people feel isolated due to relocation, their new housing may become unappealing. What does this suggest to urban planners?

Student 1
Student 1

They should involve the community in their planning to maintain social networks.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Planning should not just focus on physical needs. Remember, our social fabric is crucial for resilience and recovery. Today, we highlighted the significance of social ties in architectural efforts post-disaster.

Women's Role in Post-Disaster Recovery

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Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, let's look at the role of women. After losses from disasters, many women start small businesses. Why do you think this is so critical?

Student 3
Student 3

It helps them regain independence and contribute to the household!

Student 2
Student 2

Plus, it creates more community interactions, helping people bond again.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! These new roles support community resilience and recovery. They often transform homes into commercial spaces, which blur the lines of personal and business areas. Remember: Supporting women is crucial for community rebuilding.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the community-driven architectural changes following disaster events, emphasizing how homes and public spaces evolve through local participation.

Standard

The section explores the adaptive architectural strategies employed by communities post-disaster, specifically highlighting how local inhabitants, especially women, adapt their homes and neighborhoods in response to socio-economic changes and community dynamics. It details the impact of relocation efforts on social networks and community satisfaction.

Detailed

Architectural Efforts and Community Participation

In the aftermath of disasters, such as the tsunami that affected Tharangambadi, architectural efforts and community participation become integral in rebuilding and redefining local habitats. The section outlines how women have taken proactive steps towards economic independence by expanding household spaces into small shops, which supports family finances. There's a significant focus on the community's struggles in adapting to modified architectural environments post-relocation, particularly the relocation of fishermen’s houses, which was conducted through participatory approaches by local architects and agencies like SIFFS.

When mental mapping activities were employed, the differences in community engagement emerged clearly. In Tarangambadi, while residents were hesitant to engage in drawing their mental maps, they provided insights about their movements through auditory methods based on existing maps created before and after the disaster. Through these interactions, it became apparent that physical changes in their living environments led to emotional and social disconnect, as foundational pedestrian pathways were altered, inhibiting former social networks and communal interactions.

Furthermore, alternative housing designs failed to cater to the specific needs of relocated communities, leading to unoccupation concerns as families sought to maintain connection by selling newly-provided homes and relocating closer to their original neighbors. The evolution of public spaces further reflected these changes with women, many of whom lost their husbands to the tsunami, transforming their new homes into commercial spaces to facilitate socialization and community interaction. This section concludes with an emphasis on how architecture, when collaboratively considered, can significantly impact community resilience and social structure restoration after disasters.

Audio Book

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Community Adaptations Post-Tsunami

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So, where the women have started expanding their house front as a small shop to run the family expenses. Similarly, the kitchens were extended.

Detailed Explanation

After the tsunami, some women began to convert parts of their homes into small shops. This change allowed families to earn money and better manage their expenses. Simultaneously, they extended their kitchens, indicating a shift in how they used their living spaces to adapt to new economic needs.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a family who used to live in a house with a simple kitchen and no business. After an unexpected event, like a natural disaster, they transform their kitchen into a space where they can cook and sell food to neighbors, making their home not only a shelter but also a place of business.

Community Layout and Historical Context

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In the second case of Tharangambadi, it is the three clusters one is the Danish colony, and the Muslims, the pre-colonial houses and the fishermen society, let’s say and this is a Renuka Devi temple square and this is basically, the tourism circuit goes on to this because of the Dansburg fort here and the town centre.

Detailed Explanation

Tharangambadi is characterized by different community clusters, including a Danish colony, a Muslim community, and sites tied to a fishing tradition. The presence of significant landmarks, like the Renuka Devi temple and Dansburg fort, plays a crucial role in defining the area's cultural and tourism landscape. Understanding these structures helps to grasp how communities are organized and how historical contexts influence current living environments.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a city with diverse neighborhoods shaped by various cultures. Each neighborhood has its own history and landmarks, such as a famous park or old factory, which attract tourists and define where people live and interact. Just like in Tharangambadi, this diversity enriches community life.

Post-Tsunami Housing Initiatives

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Many Kuriakose architect and as well as the SIFFS Agency has worked on this relocation of these fishermen houses they identified this land and they tried to work out the housing with a more participatory approach.

Detailed Explanation

After the tsunami, architects and community agencies collaborated to relocate fishermen's houses. They used a participatory approach, meaning they involved the community in the planning and design process. This method aimed to ensure that the needs of the residents were met and to create a living environment that felt familiar and supportive.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a community coming together to plan a new playground. Instead of just being informed about it, they contribute ideas on what equipment to have or how to make it safe. When they feel involved, the playground will likely reflect their desires and function better for the kids.

Struggles with New Layouts

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In interviews, many of the people even from the pre-colonial side started saying we are not happy here because none much of my friends they are left and we are not, it’s very boring here.

Detailed Explanation

Residents expressed dissatisfaction with their new homes post-relocation. They noted a lack of familiar social networks, which made their new environment feel isolated and uninteresting. This disconnect highlights the importance of community ties and social interaction for overall well-being.

Examples & Analogies

Think about moving to a new city where you don't know anyone. Even if the apartment is nice, without friends or familiar activities nearby, it can feel lonely and uninviting, making you wish to return to your old neighborhood.

Changes in Social Dynamics

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This map showed that the earlier street connected all three communities, but now, they are walking on the periphery of the town, which means they are not walking from this. Which means the pedestrian movement has actually created certain communication gaps.

Detailed Explanation

The change in layout, where people now walk along the edges of town instead of through the communities, has created barriers to communication. This shift in movement patterns can weaken relationships between neighbors and disrupt communal life.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a school where students used to gather in a central area but after renovations, they have to enter through separate doors. This might lead to less interaction and reduced friendships since they can no longer easily meet up and engage with each other during breaks.

Cultural Shifts in Living Spaces

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Even toilets were provided in the new houses, they are converted as the worship areas which is puja rooms.

Detailed Explanation

The conversion of new toilets into worship areas indicates a cultural adaptation by the residents. They prioritized religious practices over original plans for functional spaces, showing how beliefs can shape living environments.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a family that converts a study room into a prayer area, valuing their spiritual practices over traditional room usage, highlighting how culture influences personal and communal spaces.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Participatory Architecture: An inclusive approach to design that involves community input.

  • Mental Mapping: A technique for understanding community spaces and relationships.

  • Social Structures: Reflects how community relationships can influence recovery.

  • Community Resilience: The ability of communities to bounce back after disruptions.

  • Role of Women: Vital in driving post-disaster recovery through economic initiatives.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Women transforming household spaces into small shops post-tsunami to support family income.

  • Communities employing mental mapping as a tool to express their perceptions and concerns about new housing placements.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When disaster strikes and homes need to rise, community builds with strong ties and eyes.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • In a small coastal village, a group of women came together after a tsunami. They turned their homes into shops while sharing stories, strengthening their bonds and rebuilding their community.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • C-R-E-A-M for Community Recovery: Community participation, Resilience, Economic activities, Architecture, Mental mapping.

🎯 Super Acronyms

P.A.C.E - Participatory Architecture Creates Engagement.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Participatory Architecture

    Definition:

    An approach to architecture that involves all stakeholders, especially the community, in the design and decision-making process.

  • Term: Mental Mapping

    Definition:

    A tool used to visually represent an individual’s or group’s perceptions of their environment.

  • Term: Social Networks

    Definition:

    The relationships and connections between individuals and groups within a community.

  • Term: Community Resilience

    Definition:

    The ability of a community to withstand and recover from adverse situations, such as disasters.

  • Term: Household Economy

    Definition:

    Economic activities conducted by members of a household to support their financial stability.