6.1. Challenges in Mass Housing

In mass housing approach, there are many issues; one is these projects are mainly developed with a general data and because they only talk about yes, this many houses have been collapse and this many some households has to be relocated, they don’t give much regard to the local situation, what kind of environment it is, what kind of the you know the situation of the community, what kind of livelihood they are related to, is it going to affect something of their livelihood, it is going to affect the children's school environment?

Mass housing often focuses on numbers and statistics related to the number of houses collapsed rather than the specific contexts of affected communities. This generalization can overlook critical factors such as the environmental conditions and the social dynamics of the displaced populations. When planning for mass housing, it is essential to consider various aspects of the community, including local economies, social ties, and children's access to education, as rebuilding should also be about restoring the fabric of the community.

Imagine a neighborhood where families have lived for generations, knowing their neighbors and their children's friends. After a disaster, if the government builds new houses without considering where these families used to live or how they interacted, the new houses might be far from their schools or friends. This can create a sense of isolation and disrupt the community culture.

The second aspect is allocation process so, the houses are distributed by lottery method like number 56, this is your house, number 52 this is; so despite of what kind of settlement it was existed, what kind of neighbourhood fabric it was existed, it is all completely taken out due to the lottery approach.

The allocation of housing through a lottery system can create additional challenges for displaced communities. This approach can disregard the previous social landscapes, as families who were once neighbors might find themselves allocated to different areas, potentially far from each other. The loss of familiar community structures can lead to difficulties in social integration and support, making recovery more challenging for individuals and families affected by the disaster.

Think of it like being assigned randomly to a different school after a summer break. You used to be with friends, familiar teachers, and a supportive environment. But now you are in a completely new place where you know no one, and this might make it harder for you to adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment.

So, here, which actually breaks the social bondages because who was living in the old settlement and now, they may live with some other group, they may end up with completely different community.

The disintegration of established social bonds due to the allocation of housing to different groups can lead to social tension and conflicts. Those affected by disasters often rely on their communities for support, and when they are separated from familiar surroundings, this support system is fractured. Individuals may have to adjust to living with people from different backgrounds, potentially leading to misunderstandings or friction instead of cooperation.

It’s like being moved from your cozy neighborhood where everyone knows you to a new area where the neighbors have different lifestyles, cultures, or even languages. Initially, it may feel daunting or isolating, and you might face challenges in making new friends or fitting in, which can create frustration and loneliness.

Moreover, the design of the houses does not facilitate socialize outside which leads you know because most of these either go for an apartment models which is three to four levels, which they have to go with the staircases, so earlier, they might have lived in a different setup, so that socialization process also gradually weakens.

When housing designs focus primarily on efficiency and numbers, they often neglect the human need for social interaction and community-building. Apartment models that lack communal spaces inhibit residents from engaging with one another, leading to increased feelings of isolation. Furthermore, if residents are not able to connect easily with their neighbors, the community cohesion that formerly existed may dissipate over time, diminishing the overall quality of life.

Imagine living in an apartment building where everyone has to use stairs to get to their units, and there are no communal areas like playgrounds or gardens to meet neighbors. It can feel isolating, just like living on a quiet street where no one ever interacts. In contrast, living in a neighborhood where everyone assembles outdoors, in parks or shared community centers, promotes friendships and strengthens connections, leading to a happier community.

And the payments for these houses often they are too high and especially, for the people you know, they are not able to afford, so that is where it was since the conditions of the poverty because they have to end up paying some extra instalments and they also have to pay it from maintenance bills, individual maintenance bills so, they all add up to a big sum of money.

Housing affordability is a major challenge in post-disaster reconstruction when the cost of new housing units exceeds what the affected population can reasonably afford. Alongside initial payments, ongoing costs like maintenance can place additional financial burdens on families, potentially leading them back into debt. This situation is exacerbated in communities already experiencing poverty, making it difficult for them to achieve economic stability.

Consider a family that lost their home in a disaster and received a new house, but the monthly payments plus maintenance costs are higher than what they used to pay for their old one. It’s like buying a new car that looks great but has high running costs. If the family struggles to keep up with these payments, they may face foreclosure or maintenance neglect, ultimately affecting their quality of life.

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