Emergency: Relief + Reconstruction

A Plan for RECONSTRUCTION.  by  Architecture for Humanity/ Open Architecture 

People are trying to find their loved ones not think about what their lives will look like in 5, 10 or 15 years.In reality, here is what it really looks like;

• Pre-Planning Assessments and Damage Analysis (underway, will run for a year)
• Establish Community Resource Center and Reconstruction Studio (Week 6 to Month 3)
• Sorting Out Land Tenure and Building Ownership (Month 6 to Year 5)
• Transitional Shelters, Health Clinics and Community Structures (Month 6 to Year 2)
• Schools, Hospitals and Civic Structures (Month 9 to Year 3)
• Permanent Housing (Year 1 to Year 5)

The details are being fleshed out, but as here is our plan (so far):


1. Community Based Anchors . We will set up Community Resource Centers to supply architecture and building services to community groups, NGOs and social entrepreneurs on the ground.

2. Distribute lessons learned. Translate and distribute a Rebuilding 101 Manual 

3. Earthquake Resistant Housing Manual. Adapt, translate and distribute an Earthquake Resistant Housing Manual for local NGOs and community groups.

4. Provide Building ExpertiseProvide teams of architectural and construction professionals to develop and build community facilities, including schools and medical centers. 

5. Build A Construction Workforce.Train and educate incoming volunteers and community members in building safely, emphasizing the need for sustainable materials and construction techniques. It is not about just building homes, but jobs.

6. Disaster Preparedness.Hurricane Season! It is primed to devastate Haiti once again. The time line is such that if a hurricane hits Haiti head on, the loss of life will be severe and every temporary housing camp will be wiped out. Last year we had developed a youth sports facility and hurricane resistant disaster recovery center for Port au Prince. We will complete that project and look to implement other centers.

7. Build Schools

8. Implement Digital Acupuncture. Working with groups like Inveneo, Samasource, AIDG and the 50x15 Foundation, we can incorporate ICT into all of the community facilities. Bridging the digital divide, we can give the aid agencies the technology they need to expedite the recovery process but also upgrade the digital infrastructure of Haiti in the long term.

9. Safe, Secure and Sustainable Housing.Haitians are not going want to hear ideas; they need shelter. It is our job to build homes that are not only safe but incorporate the needs, desires and dreams of the families that will live in them. 

10. Support Social Entrepreneurs and Job Creation

11. Open Source and Share Everything