Architects discuss methods to rebuild habitat after calamities

He pointed out that thoughtless reconstruction undertaken without adequate knowledge of the traditional and modern technologies often increases the vulnerability of local communities.

“Vulnerability,therefore,is to be assessed not only as a product of hazardous exposure but in a progressive manner resulting from social,economic and underdevelopment processes,before,during and after disaster situations,” he stated.

Social anthropologist Dr Jennifer Duyne Barenstein,Head of the World Habitat Research Centre of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland,dealt with the cultural dimension of post-disaster reconstructions,advocating the efficacy of owner-driven and participatory approaches applied in rehabilitation activities like after the Gujarat earthquake in January 2001.

Daniel Pittet,a researcher at the World Habitat Research Centre,focused on the substantial environmental impacts generated by the housing sector and how it contributes to about half of the total energy consumption of high income countries and is responsible for a major share of greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor Kiran Joshi,Dean,Chitkara University School of Planning,stated that sustainability is becoming increasingly relevant with every passing day,but most architects and teachers do not have sufficient expertise.