Last week, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Haiti’s worst in two centuries, struck 15 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The Red Cross says 40-50,000 are feared dead, and more than three million residents have been affected. Tens of thousands of buildings have been destroyed. While immediate rescue efforts are a priority, Haiti’s government will require short-term relief housing and long-term building reconstruction aid for Haiti’s buildings, playgrounds, and public spaces.
The New York Times recently reported that collapsing buildings have caused much of the loss of life. “Engineers and architects who have worked in or visited Haiti say that substandard design, inadequate materials and shoddy construction practices likely contributed to the collapse of many buildings.” Cameron Sinclair, executive director of Architecture for Humanity, was quoted: “In Haiti, most if not all of the buildings have major engineering flaws.”
Alan Dooley, a Nashville architect who designed a local medical clinic, said most houses and other structures were built out of poured concrete or block mixed with sand, which “resulted in a structurally weaker material.” Many local builders “cut corners” due to the high cost of materials. Additionally, timber isn’t widely available for housing construction due to deforestation. Haiti has among the lowest per-capita incomes in the world.
A few organizations are calling for landscape architects, architects, and urban planners to support redevelopment efforts:
Architecture for Humanity: “We will soon start exploring specific opportunities for rebuilding projects in cooperation with our partners on the ground. In the meantime, we have launched a fundraising appeal to support this long term reconstruction effort. In the first four days we’ve raised over $45,000 in individual giving and have pledges from a number of companies. However, more resources are still necessary for us to have a strong and lasting impact.” Learn more and donate.
Additionally, dedicated, French-speaking volunteers interested in volunteering on the ground are encouraged to sign-up now. Architecture for Humanity is creating a ”comprehensive, two- to four-year plan (including transitional, temporary shelter, as well as permanent construction) for the devastated nation that begins with a site visit in approximately three week’s time,” writes Interior Design.
Article 25: “With much of the death caused by the collapse of buildings, the recovery process is an opportunity to build back better: built environment skills should play a crucial role in safe guarding lives by designing seismically resistant buildings that reduce the risk of death in future disasters. Carefully designed and executed reconstruction of safer structures will offer some security to those that have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the latest tragedy to befall Haiti.” Learn more and donate.
American Institute of Architects (AIA): “We’ve been in contact with our colleagues at the U.S. Green Building Council and will be sending a joint letter to United Nations Envoy to Haiti Former President Bill Clinton offering our profession’s technical and professional expertise when the initiative begins focusing on rebuilding. Additionally, we are discussing ideas with Architecture for Humanity on how architects can provide on-the-ground design guidance in Haiti so local citizens can seek qualified counsel as they rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives.” AIA is encouraging donations through a range of organizations, including Architecture for Humanity.
Emergency Architects (Australia): “The needs are enormous and very urgent. We appeal for your donations for this emergency to a total of AUD 300 000 to help the thousands of victims without shelter.” Learn more and donate.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): “USGBC and its members are uniquely positioned to help in the rebuilding of the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure demolished in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi traveled to Haiti last spring with UN Special Envoy to Haiti President Bill Clinton and a small UN working group, and they have begun developing plans that will jumpstart the rebuilding effort. We’ve also offered to work with our members to develop solutions informed by our work in New Orleans and Greensburg in the wake of the natural disasters that devastated those communities.” USGBC is encouraging donations through the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund.
The New York Times writes about a range of smaller organizations that are developing building reconstruction services and plans as well. Developing new earthquake-resistant housing is a focus area.
Google has aggregated a list of organizations, including UNICEF, CARE, and Doctors without Borders, that are seeking immediate donations for on-going relief.
Image credit: The New York Times
I am a registered Architect with 30+ years of experience, and a great interest in getting involved in the reconstruction process. I have experience in construction in Jamaica where I made eight short term trips to help build a Deaf Village in Mandeville. I also have travelled to Liberia where I designed the facades of several university buildings, using locally available materials in Yekeppa.
I would be very interested in serving in Haiti for the long term, if possible. You can contact me at 423-309-1102 or at the email address above. I am currently putting together my resume and intend to send it to the organizations you mention above, as well as others.
moladi is geared to provide support and our construction technology to assist Haiti and her people in the reconstruction process that will follow. moladi reinforced walls and stub wall configuration is designed to with stand earthquakes and minimize the damage created by the impact. With the moladi process of formwork construction we are able to utilize the rubble from the collapsed buildings to create new permanent structures – Reducing construction time and cost – stronger than block or brick walls. Very important to eliminate costly ‘tented camps’.
Many Haitians are now unemployed (even before the earthquake), therefore it is vital to create jobs and not simply offer an end product. The need is not only for houses but also for schools shops offices and all the building structures that have been destroyed (90%).
http://www.moladi.net
I am a Certified Landscape Architect and LEED Green Associate. I have 12 years of experience and will also send my resume to the abovementioned organizations. I am commited to getting involved with the long term need necessary to rebuild Haiti by focusing on public safety via sustainable development.
I recently decided to donate for the Haiti disaster. I encourage that people send money to those affected by this earthquake too.
I am an architect with 30 years practice, working in the Dominican Republic. Trained in The AA Graduate School in London in the housing program during the 77-1980. Ready to collaborate.
With an office of 5 architects in Santo Domingo we have design and built many private homes, commercial buildings and hotels in this island, working with hundreds of dominican and haitian labors as a team for the past 10 years.
Silvo REP
I graduated in civil engineering in the University in Maribor and spent 22 years working on the discharges of wastewater and storm water. I was designed many projects in the field of extraction and purification wastewater in Slovenia.
With my experience I can offer my help in hold public services in the field of drinking water supplies and in the discharge of waste water treatment plans. I can also help with the reorganisation the public service in this area because I have on the organization publick services a lot and sufficient experience.
Colleagues,
Please see attached proof-of-concept scale model prototype, which we designed for Alaska village housing. We have also proposed it to the US Senate Armed Services Committee for Afghanistan development, for housing, clinic, classroom, storage permanent structures to be built on-site.
Attached presentation is scheduled for early March for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE).
Perhaps this would be useful for Haiti permanent reconstruction, as well. Unfortunately, advancing from this scale model to full-size (approx 18 ft equatorial diameter, 5/8 sphere) will require several months and about $500K for design and tooling, to be able to produce sets of tooling (concrete forms) for on-site construction. Our small company would need a contract or grant, to proceed. We are inquiring widely for interest. Haiti would be a better place to launch this construction technique than Afghanistan, for several reasons.
Each set of construction tooling, capable of producing one structure about every 3 days, might cost $50,000, but could be used many times. Materials for a simple house, with simple or no plumbing and wiring, very simple windows and door, might cost $2,000 – 5,000. Local sand and water would be used, minimizing imported materials. Local semi-skilled labor, both male and female, could be used.
I recognize that cultural acceptance of this building shape may vary widely. People who are poor and desperate should not be expected to welcome a gift that they regard as unattractive or insulting.
Attached is not proprietary; please FWD as you wish.
Thank you for your consideration.
i’m an haitian born i own an electrical company i would to go back to help plaese call me @786 290 7574