Edward Burtynsky and Cameron Sinclair in Toronto
Hugo Arriojas, HOK, with permission
After the earthquake in Haiti, the first place we went was to see what Architecture for Humanity, the wonderful organization founded by Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr, were doing. Of course they were already making plans, and Cameron has been twittering away @casinclair with info and links every few minutes. But his main message, for all of us who want to rush in and help them rebuild, is to keep calm, and wait. He writes in the Huffington Post:
When disaster strikes the second disaster that looms is the efficiency and impact of the three R's - Response, Recovery and Reconstruction. As seen by the poor response by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina, lives are lost when a coordinated effort is not conducted. In a developing country like Haiti the biggest danger is the effects of bad post disaster planning and construction. Waterborne diseases spread like wildfire in temporary camps and dumping sub standard materials not only is dangerous but undermines an existing yet fragile construction industry. Additionally without proper oversight structures are usually rebuilt in unsafe ways by well intentioned volunteers.
The key is not to drop in a pile of high-tech houses, but plan, and to work with the local NGOs and the community.
In a few weeks attention to Haiti will die down, just as the real work begins in reconstructing affected areas. After Hurricane Katrina our architecture and construction professionals spent four years living and working in Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. By setting up community housing resource centers and working directly with families we could create not only the appropriate and sustainable structures but homes that fit the lives of its' residents. In order serve the families suffering right now we need to develop long term reconstruction initiatives that include the voices of those affected at the heart of the plans.
Top down solutions will cause tragic consequences for generations to come. This cannot happen in Haiti. They have suffered enough.
He tells us of the damage that can be done when people jump in too fast:
Right now the need is relief and recovery but very soon it will be long term reconstruction. In the New York Times we noted the pre-existing issues with the building stock in Haiti. The NGOs focused on rebuilding need to be aware that in areas of great need structures are usually rebuilt in unsafe ways by well intentioned volunteers.
For more information, visit Architecture for Humanity.
