safe building in bangladesh

SAFE BUILDING IN BANGLADESHINTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP, DINAJPUR DISTRICT / SEPTEMBER 2012

Working with local NGOs, international participants will learn at fi rst hand the challenges of a hand-to-mouth existence and will experiment with building technologies aimed at giving millions of people durable, hazard-resistant homes

Housing & HazardsThe Housing & Hazards Group develops practical methodologies and links professionals, academics and practitioners based in and around the University of Exeter to make safer, hazard-resistant housing available and affordable to vulnerable rural communities around the world.

Contact: Robert HodgsonEmail / Tel.: [email protected] / +44 (0) 1884821239Website: www.housingandhazards.orgAddress: University of Exeter, School of Engineering, Computing & Mathematics Harrison Building, North Park Rd, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK

REDR UKRedR is an international disaster relief charity, which trains aid workers and provides skilled professionals to humanitarian programmes worldwide, helping to save and rebuild the lives of people affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Contact: RedR UKEmail / Tel.: [email protected] / +44 (0) 2078406000Website: www.redr.org.ukAddress: 250A Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5RD, UK

Engineers Without Borders-UK (EWB-UK)EWB is an international development organisation that aims to remove barriers to development through engineering, offering opportunities for young professionals to learn about technology’s role in tackling poverty. The interdisciplinary approach involves holistic engineering, active partnerships, demand-led development, sustainable use of natural resources and appropriate technology.

Contact: EWB-UK Placements TeamEmail / Tel.: [email protected] / +44 (0) 1223305888Website: www.ewb-uk.orgAddress: c/o The Humanitarian Centre, Fenner’s, Gresham Road, Cambridge, CB1 2ES, UK

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

[1] SAFE BUILDING IN BANGLADESH

Simple Action For the Environment (SAFE)SAFE aims to reduce the vulnerability of low-income households in northern Bangladesh to environmental hazards such as flooding and strong winds. This is achieved through the promotion of improved housing techniques by offering ‘building for safety’ workshops within the district and construction of demonstration houses in collaboration with the community.

Contact: Azit RoyEmail / Tel.: [email protected] / +88 (0) 1726007343Website: www.safebangladesh.wordpress.comAddress: Sundarban Village, PO: Ramdubihat, Upazila: Sadar Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Bangladesh Rural Improvement Foundation (BRIF)BRIF aims to establish human rights, equal dignity and quality of life and livelihoods. The organisation focuses on the most vulnerable segment of society, through implementing innovative participatory approaches and introducing community based institution building as well as providing pragmatic and procedural assistance.

Contact: Shah Ahsan HabibEmail / Tel.: [email protected] / +88 (0) 552673015Website: www.brif.orgAddress: Natun Babupara, Upazila: Saidpur, Nilphamari, Bangladesh

Chetonar Dak / Call For Consciousness (CFC)CFC focuses on various activities within Sundarban. The education programme includes pre-schools, which support children from the ages of 4 to 6 prior to primary school. Coaching classes continue this support outside of school hours. The healthcare programme involves outreach clinics throughout the area particularly with regard to maternal and child health, alongside health promotion classes. In addition to these services the organisation runs a small sewing training centre.

Contact: Tiverton Sundarban Support GroupEmail: [email protected]: www.tivertonsundarban.org.uk/page5.htmlAddress: Sundarban Village, PO: Ramdubihat, Upazila: Sadar Dinajpur, Bangladesh

NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

[2]SEPTEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

Bordered by India, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. The low-lying nature of the terrain (with a large percentage of the land less than 12m above sea level) means that Bangladesh is vulnerable to flooding and is now widely recognised as one of the countries most at risk from climate change. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that a 1m rise in sea level will engulf approximately 13% of the landmass in the southern belt, displacing 15-20 million people by 2050.

Six major floods were recorded in Bangladesh during the 19th century, with figures rising to 18 in the 20th century. Catastrophic consequences were experienced in 1987, 1988, 1998, 2004, 2007 and 2009. In 2004 for example, the monsoon arrived early adding to the heavy rainfall already experienced since June of that year. River levels continued to rise and on July 8th widespread flooding devastated the country, including urban areas such as the capital Dhaka, which was unprepared for such an onslaught. In contrast to rising river levels, Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh in 2007 and in turn triggered a tidal wave, which struck the coastline resulting in over 3,300 deaths, injuring approximately 34,500 individuals and forcing the evacuation of nearly one million. In terms of infrastructure and livelihoods, the devastation was extensive.

In recent years Bangladesh has witnessed a wide range of disasters, including Cyclone Aila in 2009, floods and landslides throughout 2010 and 2011. The poorest section of society is commonly the most vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters (rising water levels, river bed erosion, environmental degradation, the spread of infectious disease, building/infrastructure damage, disruption to livelihoods, civil conflicts...). Bangladesh’s growing population means that an ever increasing number of people are under threat and with nearly half the population living on less than a $1 a day, this is a critical issue.

BANGLADESH

COUNTRY MAP

Dinajpur District, in northwest Bangladesh suffers from localised flooding and strong winds during September and October, which regularly cause damage to houses and infrastructure. Dinajpur also lies in one of the highest earthquake risk zones in Bangladesh.

The local population depends largely on agriculture and the region is widely acknowledged for its rice production, with 40% of its population landless labourers.

The construction programme for this year’s workshop will be conducted across two sites within the region; Jorgen Babur Mart slum and Sundarban village.

DINAJPUR DISTRICT

INDIA

INDIA

MYANMAR

BAY OF BENGAL

Dinajpur DivisionDinajpur District

BANGLADESH

Sundarban VillageJBM Slum


BAMBOO HOUSEJORGEN BABUR MART SLUM, DINAJPUR DISTRICT


CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

AreaJorgen Babur Mart is an area of informal housing situated approximately 2km from the centre of Dinajpur town. Originally the land belonged to a Hindu landowner who emigrated to India during the partition of India and the former East Pakistan. Over 500 families currently live on this land, and although they do not possess formal title deeds, the land is considered in private ownership, with many of the residents having built permanent or ‘paaka’ buildings.

Before it became a residential area the land was waterlogged and uninhabitable. Seven years ago the non-governmental organisation CARE, reclaimed the land and worked with the community to divide the area into individual plots. The land was primarily used to resettle families who had previously been evicted from a nearby slum area that belonged to the Bangladesh Railways.

CommunityThe residents are predominantly Hindu and Muslim, originating from many different backgrounds and moving to Dinajpur for a variety of social and economic reasons. They are involved in many different occupations from TV repairmen and day labourers, to rickshaw pullers, earning between 100 - 250BDT per day. Although some women work outside the area, most stay at home generating extra income through home based activities such as poppadom rolling and handicraft production.

JORGEN BABUR MART SLUM

SITE PLAN / NOT TO SCALE


The FamilyFather: Masud RanaMother: Morgina RanaEldest son: Shagor RanaYoungest son: Ridoy Rana

Typical Daily Activities- Morgina prepares breakfast on an external cook stove at approximately 9am. - Both sons attend school during the day.- Morgina undertakes a variety of activities including sewing, preparation of lunch and dinner.- Morgina occasionally rolls poppadoms, to be dried on the street. For this she earns 40BDT (£0.31) per day. Other members of the community frequently use the living space for this work.- Masud works as a rickshaw driver in the evening but supplements his salary during the day by undertaking construction work where available or helping out with day-to-day tasks such as D.I.Y.- Masud’s rickshaw shift begins at 6pm and lasts until 12/2am. For this he typically earns between 150 - 250BDT (£1.18 - £1.97).

CLIENT

THE FAMILY

INTERNAL VIEW OF EXISTING RESIDENCE - TOWARDS STREET ACCESS


Existing Site Analysis- The site is small and narrow (2700mm x 6470mm) facing onto a communal street (1970mm wide).- The building adjoins residences at either side, and the ‘back yard’ is further bordered by another plot. - External drainage is towards the rear of the site.

Existing Building Analysis- The existing single-storey structure is constructed with bamboo, corrugated iron sheeting and additional materials on a compacted earth plinth (raised 200 - 300mm).

Space Analysis- The ‘one room shelter’ (ORS) is used for a variety of activities throughout the day including dining, living, working and sleeping.- Jorgen Babur Mart is a particularly communal area, with neighbours visiting on a daily basis to watch television, drink tea and discuss events.- At present, both cooking and washing are undertaken in the ‘back yard’, which includes a cook stove and ground water pump. This area also offers external storage and is used to dry clothes.- The main space contains various storage facilities (clothes, blankets, cooking equipment, general household items) both at ground level and overhead, as well as desk space for decoration, a television and additional seating (two chairs).- Two double beds are located at either end of the room, each with a mosquito net for the evening time.- The family enjoys looking after animals. At present they own four pigeons, two quails, one shaling and one duck within six cages. They are hoping to purchase another duck and a rabbit.- There is a small guava tree at the front of the house, which will be replanted in the new design.- There is no toilet or shower within the house as the family use communal facilities within Jorgen Babur Mart.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

STREET FACADE - EXISTING

INTERNAL VIEW OF EXISTING RESIDENCE - TOWARDS REAR OF PROPERTY


- The family is looking for a new bamboo house to improve living conditions (light, ventilation, heating/cooling, access, circulation) and increase space. When asked about current comfort levels, the family perceived the existing house to be dark and particularly uncomfortable during the hot season. - As the site is constrained on all sides, the solution will be a double-storey building.- Drainage of the whole site is poor with potential for flooding, particularly during the monsoon season. A 1ft (304mm) compacted earth plinth with stabilised topping will be provided.- Strong winds do occasionally affect the area (although on a much smaller scale than in the south of Bangladesh). The potential for uplift will be addressed.- The current location of the cooking and washing facilities towards the rear of the plot will be retained, with approximately 4ft (1219mm) of space provided externally.- The main living space is to be located at ground level, with one double bed (with mosquito net), two chairs, various storage and hanging facilities. This space will contain a central ceiling fan and feature a staircase (not ladder as seen in previous designs) to the floor above.- The main entrance will be off the communal street, but set back approximately 3ft (914mm) to accommodate a homestead garden and veranda above.- The first floor will offer increased space and will contain the second double bed for the children. Additional storage is an option and the room will contain a desk fan.- The birdcages and future rabbit cage are to be located on the veranda, with the possibility of coherent storage from floor to ceiling.

NEEDS & EXPECTATIONS

FRONT STEP AND RAISED PLINTH CONDITIONS - EXISTING

EXTERNAL STORAGE FACILITIES - EXISTING ADDITIONAL STORAGE UNDER BED - EXISTING


EXISTING HOUSE FLOOR PLAN / SCALE 1:40

COMMUNAL STREET

NEIGHBOURING RESIDENCE


1 - DOUBLE BED 2 - CABINET 3 - TELEVISION4 - CLOTHES HORSE 5 - KITCHEN UTILITIES STORAGE 6 - OVERHEAD STORAGE

7 - BIRDCAGES ABOVE 8 - BIRDCAGES 9 - CABINET/SHELVES 10 - CHAIR11 - STOVE 12 - GROUND WATERPUMP

1

1

2 3 45

6

778

9

10 10

11

12

DR

AIN


7 - BIRDCAGES ABOVE 8 - BIRDCAGES 9 - CABINET/SHELVES 10 - CHAIR11 - STOVE 12 - GROUND WATERPUMP

NEW PROPOSAL GROUND FLOOR PLAN / SCALE 1:40

COMMUNAL STREET



DR

AIN

HOMESTEAD GARDEN


NEW PROPOSAL FIRST FLOOR PLAN / SCALE 1:40

VERANDA

BIRD-CAGES


NEW PROPOSAL SECTION A-A / SCALE 1:40

COMMUNAL STREET DRAIN


NEW PROPOSAL SECTION B-B / SCALE 1:40

COMMUNAL STREETDRAIN


NEW PROPOSAL SECTION C-C & STREET FACADE ELEVATION / SCALE 1:40


NEW PROPOSAL SECTION D-D & REAR FACADE ELEVATION / SCALE 1:40


Author: Jo Ashbridge EWB-UK Placement 2012

safe building in bangladesh

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