5.1. Addition vs Multiplication Models

So, the moment when these NGOs when these agencies come into the picture, many at times what they do is they perceive the local knowledge, they perceive that this system, this particular social system has failed to receive the expected conditions of life from the system. So, that is where you know the larger collective stress situations took place that how the system has failed.

When NGOs or agencies respond to disasters, they often view the existing local systems as inadequate. This perception leads them to disregard the local knowledge and practices that have helped communities survive prior to the disaster. Essentially, these organizations conclude that local systems have 'failed' based solely on immediate post-disaster conditions, ignoring the historical context and resilience of the local community.

Imagine a school that has had a long-standing tradition of solving disputes among students without involving teachers. After a major incident where this system fails to resolve a conflict, outside mediators come in and impose professional mediation processes without considering the school's cultural context. This could alienate the students who feel their voices and traditional practices are overlooked, similar to how communities feel when NGOs disregard their systems.

But then the many of the relief operations, when they come into the rescue or the rehabilitation projects, they try to reject and in favour of the systems familiar to an exercised by the relief culture. So, they either depend on the, they either rely more on what they have already executed and also the relief culture though they try to undermine the local systems, they try to understand, undermine the local traditions.

Relief operations often prioritize established practices over local traditions. This may involve using standardized approaches and methods that the NGOs are accustomed to, rather than adapting to the unique customs and needs of the community they are aiding. As a result, local traditions may feel undermined, which can lead to mistrust of relief efforts.

Think of a chef who wins awards for their cooking style. If they were to open a restaurant in a community famous for its unique culinary heritage, but only serve their tried-and-true recipes, the local people may feel disconnected or dissatisfied. Similarly, when aid workers use only their familiar methods without considering local practices, they risk alienating the community.

And a victim culture is always being made aware of the failure of the local, traditional and indigenous systems to either anticipate the disaster or be able to cope up when it happens.

A 'victim culture' arises when communities are repeatedly exposed to narratives that highlight their inability to prevent or cope with disasters. This messaging can diminish their confidence in their traditional systems and leadership. These communities feel weakened and increasingly dependent on external assistance, fostering a mindset that views them primarily as victims rather than resilient survivors.

Consider a sports team that experiences a series of losses. If the coach continuously emphasizes the team's failures instead of celebrating small improvements, players might lose their motivation and belief in their ability to win. In the same way, communities that are always labeled as victims may feel they have no agency to improve their situation.

That is where the lived space comes into it and I think I will summarize on how in the first version of build back better by Michal Lyons and Theo Schilderman... One is an aspect of addition. Like what they do is sometimes approach is through a singular NGOs like okay, there are 5, 6 houses this NGO will sponsor, another 5, 6 houses this NGO will sponsor.

The Addition model focuses on individual houses, with each NGO sponsoring a small number. This often leads to a fragmented reconstruction that doesn't consider the cohesive neighborhood or community needs. In contrast, the Multiplication model seeks to create a systematic approach where the design can be replicated across a community, addressing the broader infrastructure and social needs rather than just individual units.

Imagine a jigsaw puzzle; the Addition model would focus on placing one piece at a time without considering how it fits with the surrounding pieces, while the Multiplication model strives to complete sections of the puzzle to see how they interconnect and create a more complete picture. This systemic view ensures that the final result is not only plentiful but also functional.

So, here this involves a longer run engagement to understand each neighbourhood, a group of families. It will take time but the problem with this is the media pressure will be there, the political pressure will be there, the institutional pressure will be there, so a lot of constraints which will add on to this aspect.

Successful housing solutions need thorough engagement with the community to assess their specific needs and dynamics. However, this process is often hindered by external pressures like media scrutiny and political expedience, which can push organizations to implement quick solutions instead of sustainable ones. This creates a tension between the need for thoughtful design and the pressures for quick results.

Think of a community garden project. If rushed by media attention to produce a beautiful garden quickly, the project may overlook properly preparing the soil, which could mean future crops won't thrive. Proper engagement takes time and attention to detail, just like ensuring the garden has the right conditions to grow.

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