Haiti Post-Earthquake Housing Reconstruction Program

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Build Change is kicking off it's post-earthquake housing reconstruction technical assistance program. Check out the job opportunities and download the program announcement and request for qualifications for engineering services below.

Build Change Haiti Program Announcement

Build Change Haiti Request for Qualifications

 

(1) LEARN FIRST: Technical Reconnaissance Study

A technical reconnaissance to understand why buildings collapsed, and why they didn't, was completed in March 2010.

 

 

(2) DESIGN EARTHQUAKE and HURRICANE-RESISTANT HOUSES

Understanding local materials, tools, skills, cultural preferences and market forces is key to identifying small changes that can make a big difference in construction quality and safety. Confined or reinforced concrete block masonry with cast-in-place reinforced concrete roof, timber truss roof or steel roof are likely to be the most commonly preferred structures by homeowners rebuilding in Haiti. Building on our award-winning experience designing and building confined masonry houses in Indonesia and China, Build Change is now reviewing relevant codes and guidelines, developing detailed design criteria, performing structural engineering analysis according to Carribean and international building standards, and collaborating with universities and researchers on materials testing.

For confined masonry and other common structural systems, Build Change will produce the following resources that can be applied to single story building reconstruction in Haiti:

  • Engineering Drawings
  • Layout Rules and Shear Wall Density Requirements
  • Bills of Quantity and Cost Estimates
  • Typical Floor Plans for One or Two Family Houses
  • Mix Proportions for Concrete and Mortar
  • Contract Specifications and Templates
  • Minimum Standard Construction Checklists

    •  

    (3) BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY

    Build Change will train local engineers and builders to design and build earthquake-resistant houses by providing on-the-job, hands-on training during construction.

    INTERESTED IN BUILDER, ENGINEER or GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TRAINING PROGRAMS? EMAIL US

     

    (4) STIMULATE LOCAL DEMAND

    HOMEOWNERS - Build Change will empower homeowners with knowledge about how to build an earthquake-resistant house so that they can supervise their own construction and have confidence that their house will keep their family safe. Build Change

  • Gives simple explanations on why houses collapse and how to build them better
  • Assists homeowners to select the type of house (timber, confined masonry, or others) and draws a layout that meets their needs, budget and plot size.
  • Provides detailed design drawings, contract templates, and instructions on signing a complete contract with the contractor so the homeowner's rights can be protected
  • Gives hands-on construction training before and during the construction process, to build skills and empower homeowners to check materials and construction quality themselves.
  • Distributes simple posters and booklets on earthquake-resistant construction. Resources for Haiti are in development. Check our Technical Resources page for resources from our Indonesia and China programs.

    • GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS and ENGINEERS - Build Change spoke at a roundtable on earthquake-resistant housing, and is contributing to shelter cluster technical working groups on safe housing reconstruction. More training programs are planned.

     

    (5) FACILITATE ACCESS TO CAPITAL

    Funding for house construction materials and labor may be provided by homeowners themselves, the Haitian government and the donor community. Build Change is seeking partnerships with donors and microfinance institutions to facilitate access to capital for reconstruction. For more information, please EMAIL US

     

    (6) MEASURE THE CHANGE

    Impact numbers will be reported starting in Fall 2010.

    Press Coverage

    New York Times

    January 18, 2010. "Managing Disasters with Small Steps" by Henry Fountain

    The bottom-up method is best for rebuilding after disasters. READ IT HERE…

    UN HABITAT Magazine, Urban World

    July 2009. "After the quake: how self-build is the key to Sichuan's recovery" by Maya Alexandri

    This story was written about Build Change's China program; it has relevant lessons for the reconstruction in Haiti. READ IT HERE…

    Special Thanks

    Special thanks goes out to Rebecca F. Nixon, P.E., structural engineer from Guy Nordenson and Associates, and David Strand, senior program manager from CH2M Hill, for their contributions and hard work getting Build Change Haiti off the ground.