2.3. Cultural and Religious Considerations

The first thing is the uniform and standardized forms which are not acceptable in many cases. Because, it is also based on the family networks, the family size, the family structures, the individual and collective needs vary, before disaster and after disaster.

This chunk discusses that standardized housing designs often fail to meet the diverse needs of families, especially after disasters. Different family structures may require distinct housing arrangements. For instance, after a disaster like a tsunami, if a husband is lost, the wife and children will need housing that accommodates their new, changed circumstances. Therefore, it's essential to consider these dynamic family needs when designing housing.

Think of a family who used to live together in a large house. After a disaster, they may need smaller houses for individual family units but still want to be close for support. Just like how a school has different classrooms for different grades, housing should adapt to the varying 'grades' or structures of families.

The design of the core dwelling aspects were not sufficiently addressed the religious beliefs and customs... the example of the puja rooms, the religious buildings how they have modified those, including the location of the orientation and how it has an impact on the inhabitants.

This chunk emphasizes that housing designs often neglect important religious customs. Many families have sacred spaces, like puja (prayer) rooms, which must be accounted for in any housing design. Not only the inside space but also the orientation of these religious rooms within the house can significantly impact how the inhabitants feel and use their space.

Imagine a family that prays every morning. If their prayer room is cramped or in an inconvenient location, it could disrupt their routine. It's like having a kitchen far from the dining area – it just makes the process harder.

These pre and post-disaster approaches they vary with from place to place, culture to culture based on the cultural setup. In church, they set up it acts differently in a government base set up it acts differently, in a NGO base set up it acts differently.

This chunk discusses the varying approaches to recovery and development based on different cultural contexts. Each community has its unique culture which influences how they interact with housing recovery initiatives. For instance, the role of the church can differ from that of government agencies or NGOs in helping families rebuild after a disaster.

In a community where church is influential, people might rely on church-led programs for recovery more than government programs. It’s like how in some schools, students look up to their teachers more than the principal when it comes to learning.

So there is one it's very difficult to establish a common methodological approach because development is culture-specific. Building design and planning guidelines does not sufficiently address the cultural needs of traditional settlements.

This chunk highlights that establishing a single method for development is challenging due to cultural differences. Development strategies often overlook the specific cultural needs of different communities, resulting in designs that don't resonate with local inhabitants. This indicates a need for a more tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Imagine trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just won't work! Similarly, development strategies that do not consider local customs and preferences will likely fail to be effective.

One has to understand that they know many things one need to tap that resources. ... this is where participatory approaches are very well encouraged.

This last chunk underscores the importance of engaging local communities in the development process. Local people have valuable knowledge and understanding of their needs that can greatly enhance housing projects. Participatory approaches ensure that development efforts respect and incorporate local insights and practices.

If you're organizing a community event, asking for input from residents will help ensure that the event meets everyone's expectations. It’s like inviting guests to a dinner party and asking what they would like to eat instead of serving them just what you like.

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