5.4.1
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS
The importance of understanding traditional techniques and materials
157. Local construction techniques and use of materials are indicators to understand local cultures and their adaptation to their environment and available resources. These techniques evolved over a long period, establishing balanced relationships between how the community lives, the process of construction and the surrounding environment.
Adaptation features
158. Local construction techniques adapt to factors such as climatic features, topography, access to water, access to materials, constantly adjusting to changes in circumstances. Through assessing these local construction methods, it is possible also to form an understanding of how a community perceives hazards and vulnerability; its relationship with resources and the environment; but also cultural factors, such as ways of using public space and social interaction patterns. 159. In most parts of the world, local construction techniques and use of materials have changed significantly during the last century, with the introduction of materials such as corrugated galvanised steel sheeting.
Poor construction techniques
160. The rapidity of these changes often led, however, to poor construction techniques using the new materials. For example, often concrete blocks use poor materials and are cured badly; concrete is often used without engineering calculations and insufficient reinforcement; linkages and joints such as column heads may be built with little understanding of structural continuity with floor slabs; and roofing sheets may be used without sufficient fixing to secure them against high winds.
Understanding local attitudes
161. These recent changes are also very valuable to learn from, rather than trying to refer only to a particular tradition from another period. Recent changes also reflect the aspirations of some cultures to exhibit modernity and wealth. Equally, some cultures may use older techniques and materials to exhibit their traditional aspirations. In learning from both older and more recent construction and materials, the lessons from each will form a profile of a community that will range from their risk reduction techniques to their attitudes to vulnerable groups. 162. An understanding of local construction techniques and materials must therefore be formed in order to inform the transitional shelter and parallel reconstruction processes. Transitional shelter construction and material use should be as similar as possible to local construction techniques and materials. Differences should occur only either if sufficient local materials cannot be sourced locally or regionally, requiring the importation of materials such as plastic sheeting; or if risk reduction measures require new techniques, such as the introduction of cross-bracing and hurricane straps. 169