Projectplan Bambú Social 2.0 by BAMBÚ SOCIAL

BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

PROJECT PLAN 1

SOPHIE HENGEVELD MARIE-LOUISE GREIJMANS THOMAS HEBBINK

COLOFON PREPARATION September 2015 - October 2015

EXECUTION November 2015 - January 2016 BambĂş Social is a non-profit organization in collaboration with Delft University of

AUTHORS

Technology (The Netherlands) and the

Sophie Hengeveld

municipality of El Rama, Nicaragua.

Thomas Hebbink

The knowledge shared in this report

Marie-Louise Greijmans

is a combination of literature studies,

intervieuws with experts like Fernando

PICTURES

Echeverria and the knowledge and

Hugo Thomassen

experience of two years of research by

Floor van Eijden

BambĂş Social in El Rama, Nicaragua

Jezabel Mejias Reyes

(since 2014).

Karin Swambach Max Verhoeven

The content of this report, including the

Laurens van der Wal

design of the model home, the social

Sophie Hengeveld

housing and the details that are used in the construction is the following license

CONTACT

Creative Commons: ShareAlike 4.0

Sophie Hengeveld

International.

Thomas Hebbink Marie-Louise Greijmans

This means that you can use all the

+31 (0)6 25 02 39 43

information as an appropriate reference

bambusocial.tudelft@gmail.com

is given, also in case of adaptation. In this way we hope to spread knowledge

Delft University of Technology

in the most accessible way possible. www.bambusocial.com www.creativecommons.org

www.facebook.com/bambusocial

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

CONTENT

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

READING GUIDE ................................................................................................................. 6 PROJECT SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 8 NICARAGUA AND THE BAMBÚ SOCIAL FOUNDATION .......................................................... 10 1. ABOUT NICARAGUA ...................................................................................................

1.1 Brief History ...........................................................................................

1.2 Nicaragua as a developing country

.....................................................

1.3 Housing situation and problem definition ............................................ 14

2. BAMBÚ SOCIAL FOUNDATION ..................................................................................... 18 2.1 Mission

................................................................................................... 18

2.2 Method and organization

.....................................................................

PROJECT BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0 .......................................................................................... 20 3. ASSIGNMENT ............................................................................................................ 22 3.1 The assignment explained ....................................................................

4. PROJECT ORGANIZATION ...........................................................................................

4.1 Team, tasks and responsibilities

..........................................................

.........................................................................................

..................................................................................................

4.2 Stakeholders 4.3 Finance

5. PROJECT STRUCTURE ................................................................................................ 26 5.1 Preparation phase

.................................................................................

....................................................................................

6. PROJECT CONTINUATION ............................................................................................

6.1 Constructional continuity ......................................................................

6.2 Design and R&D continuity ...................................................................

5.2 Execution phase

7. RISK MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................... 39

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 40 APPENIDICES .................................................................................................................. 42 1. SAFETY AND SECURATY PLAN .................................................................................... 2. STAKEHOLDER INFORMATION AND TOPIC LIST ............................................................ 3. BUDGET BAMBÚ SOCIAL ............................................................................................ 4. PROMOTION PLAN .................................................................................................... 5. RESEARCH NICARAGUA AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN .................................................. 6. BUSINESS MODEL BAMBÚBUENO ...............................................................................

44 50 51 52 54 68

READING GUIDE This project plan is written by team Bambú Social 2.0 for both the educational purpose (minor International Entrepreneurship & Development) as for our client Bambú Social foundation. A lot of aspects and topics will be discussed. Therefore a reading guide was made which will make the reading process more convenient. The project plan consists of two main parts. In the first part the background of the project will be explained. Nicaragua will be introduced with an explanation of why it is a developing country and what characterizes this. The Bambú Social foundation will be introduced and Bambú Social 2.0 as well. The relation between these three topics will be explained. The following components will be discussed:

•

MissionPortrait of organization

•

Brief history & Nicaragua as a Developing Country (desk research)

•

Problem analysis (the housing situation)

•

External project organization

The second part will discuss our project Bambú Social 2.0. In this part all content will be included. How the assignment will be executed will be reflected in this part as well as all the other aspects in relation to this project. This part consists of the following components: •

Scope of the project

•

Project structure

•

Internal project organization

•

Intended presentation and continuation

•

Risk management

In the appendices you’ll find the Safety and Security Plan, expanded Business Model and a Communication plan. Before these parts a brief summary will be presented.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

PROJECT SUMMARY NICARAGUA

iterative process and will, through a process

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in

of transition, eventually meet it’s higher

Central America. There is a great shortage of

goal: contributing to the development of

housing and the existing houses have many

Nicaragua.

qualitative shortcomings. This makes that 78% of the population is homeless or lives in

BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

very poor conditions.

Starting in November 2015, team Bambú Social 2.0 will contribute to the development

BAMBOO

of the housing situation in Nicaragua.

Bamboo is a strong building material. It

Based on the knowledge and experience

can be produced locally, grows extremely

of the past two years we’ll investigate ways

fast, needs few nutrients and helps prevent

to improve the design of a social bamboo

deforestation of the rainforest. Also, the

house. Our aim is to get one step closer to

growth prevents soil erosion and bamboo

an affordable, easy-to-build house of good

has a high CO2 absorption.

quality that is adaptable to the various needs of the residents of Nicaragua.

BAMBÚ SOCIAL FOUNDATION 8

Since 2014, Bambú Social does research on

Our project contains two main phases;

local building materials and opportunities

the preparation phase and the execution

in Nicaragua, resulting in the design and

phase. The 2 months preparation phase

construction of a bamboo model house on

takes place in The Netherlands. One of

site. Their mission is to solve the housing

the main activities in this phase is defining

problem in Nicaragua by sharing knowledge

our assignment by gaining background

with the local students and craftsmen and

knowledge, setting up a business model

stimulate the social acceptance of bamboo

and writing a project plan. Fundraising is

as a standard construction material.

also very important and will be done by applying for funds and personal grants, set up a donation website for fans and supporters and organize a fundraising party. Also gaining (inter)national publicity by posting updates on www.bambusocial. com, facebook and gingerresearch will be a continuous task in this phase.

By proving that bamboo housing is feasible,

The execution phase in Nicaragua takes

bamboo should become an appreciated

3 months and exists of three main stages;

construction material and be adopted by

evaluation research(1), social research(2) and

the architects and universities, who will be

technical research(3).

the engineers of the future. This will be an

PROJECTPLAN BAMBĂ&#x161; SOCIAL 2.0

The first stage will be inspecting the built

constantly sharing our findings with local

model house on physical conditions. Also

craftsmen and students we hope bamboo

interviews with the involved craftsmen

will become an appreciated construction

about the building process are imortant in

material and gets adopted by the local

this stage. The second stage mainly exists

architects and students, so the local research

of interviews, house visits/gatherings with

on bamboo can keep developing.

the local people and design cases and workshops/brainstorm sessions with the

THE TEAM

studens of UCA in Managua.

Team BambĂş Social 2.0 consists of three students of the Delft University of

The first two stages both result in a report.

Technology and the Leiden University in The

Based on those reports we can conclude

Netherlands. Together we will work on the

what the enablers and the barries are and

project from September 2015 till January

which aspects/components of the design of

2016.

a social bamboo house could be improved in the third stage. By making multiple design

Every team member has their personal

options and constructing and testing them

occupation, related to their field of

we hope to improve a part of the design.

study. Each occupation includes certain responsibilities, although on site it is

Overall, the most important part of our

unavoidable that our personal occupation

project is the social implementation. By

mixes and overlays with others.

NICARAGUA & THE BAMBÚ SOCIAL FO

OUNDATION

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

ABOUT NICARAGUA 1.1

In order to contribute to the foundation

BRIEF HISTORY

BambĂş Social, or to Nicaragua or, even in a

During the 19th century Nicaragua was

broader sense, to development, a thorough

divided between Liberals and Conservatives.

investigation on the previous and current

The power in the country switched from

situation has to be made.

American to Nicaraguan leaders. In 1936 Anastasio Somoza Garcia became dictator

This will be made under the heading

of Nicaragua. He and his family ruled the

Local Research of Nicaragua. Both social-

country for the next 42 years. The Somoza

economic and cultural backgrounds will be

dictatorship continued and was passed on to

investigated and how it could influence the

other family members.

project. As a conclusion on that a problem analysis can be made on which follows a

Meanwhile in 1961 the Frente Sandinsta de

goal analysis.

Liberacion or Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was formed. They began a

After this the assignment will be presented

long guerilla war. In 1972 Managua was

which describes what the scope of this sub

struck by a severe earthquake that killed

project is and how it contributes to the main

thousands. Somoza and his cronies took

goal.

much of the international aid and opposition to his regime grew. By 1978 rebellion was

First off; a scheme what has to be kept in

spreading across Nicaragua. Finally in 1979

mind while reading this chapter.

the Sandanistas launched an offensive. On

HOUSING PROBLEM DEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATION

ITERATIVE PROCESS OF

BAMBĂ&#x161; SOCIAL

DEVELOPMENT

& CONTINUATION

WHAT MISSION? HOW?

PROJECTPLAN BAMBĂ&#x161; SOCIAL 2.0

nation but tourism is a growing industry. Many people from Nicaragua work abroad and there is much underemployment at home. Today the population of Nicaragua is 5.7 million (Lambert, 2013).

1.2

NICARAGUA A DEVELOPING COUNTRY Over the past decades, Nicaragua has been hit by devastating events; political as

17 July 1979 Somoza fled abroad and on 19

economical as environmental. These have

July the Sandanistas captured Managua. The

left the nation in a precarious development

long campaign against Somoza had cost

position for this century. Different aspects

50,000 lives.

are explained (FSD, 2015).

Meanwhile relations with the USA

Economy: Nicaragua is the fourth poorest

deteriorated. The US ended aid in 1981 and

nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its

introduced a trade embargo in 1985. (It was

economy is based mainly on agricultural

lifted in 1990). Daniel Ortega (Sandanista)

exports (coffee, sugar, beef, and seafood)

was elected president in 2006. He was re-

along with some manufacturing export.

elected in 2011. Health: Malaria and tuberculosis cases Today Nicaragua is still a very poor country.

continue to increase and one out of three

Nicaragua is overwhelmingly an agricultural

children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

64% of the population does not have access to sustained sanitation services. Environment: large scale commercial

43% LIVES BELOW POVERTY LINE

agriculture have decimated the forests and left the land vulnerable to landslides and droughts. Human Rights: approximately 76,000 landmines (left over from the Contra war) still remain in the soil and continue to kill and maim hundreds (particularly children). Youth and Education: 29% of the children

64% DOESN’T HAVE SANITATION SERVICES

complete primary school, 5% of disabled children receive an appropriate amount of attention. Housing: 78% of the people live in substandard homes or do not have adequate housing (record in Latin and South America) (IDB, 2012). It is clear that in these aspects (and

71% DOESN’T FINISH PRIMARY EDUCATION

much more) the government falls short in disadvantage of the nation. The millennium development goals could be applied to Nicaragua. Each goal will directly address to recurring problems and failures.

1.3

HOUSING SITUATION Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America. There is a great shortage of

33% SUFFERS FROM CHRONIC MALNUTRITION

housing and the existing houses have many qualitative shortcomings. This makes that 78% of the population is homeless or lives in very poor conditions. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people firsts need housing. To fulfill other

200 HA RAINFOREST DISAPPEARS EVERY DAY

PROJECTPLAN BAMBĂ&#x161; SOCIAL 2.0

needs (belongingness and love, esteem,

In addition, the local population is

self-actualization and self-transcendence)

dependent on large-scale central systems for

people first have to be provided sufficiently

building, electricity, clean drinking water and

on the physical and safety terms.

food. These are systems they cannot always rely on, there is a lack of clean drinking

In order to get a more specific look on the

water, there are regular power cuts and a

housing problem, downscaling is needed.

lot of food is imported resulting in high

Therefore local investigation can be done

prices. Recent research shows Nicaragua

and direct impact could be analyzed. The

has the poorest quality of housing in all of

choice made by our client is to zoom into

Latin America and a housing deficit of 12%,

the municipality of El Rama.

900,000, as mentioned before.

Building techniques used in El Rama are

The most important reasons for these

not adapted to the local environment any

problems on the quantitative side are

more. The current materials create a warm

the high building costs, mainly caused by

and humid interior climate and are produced

expensive construction materials. On the

with processes that pollute the natural

qualitative side the lack of infrastructure

environment (concrete walls with tin roofs).

access (e.g. to clean drinking water) and use

78% IS HOMELESS OR LIVES IN VERY POOR CONDITIONS

of poor materials are the main issues. (IDB,

for their main target group, the poorest

2012)

families in Nicaragua. A couple of years ago, the continuing housing (health and

This although El Rama is rich in potential

safety) problems were linked to the material

resources, like a yearly rainfall of 3000 mm,

bamboo. This thought formed the basis of

2400 sun hours, various bamboo plantations,

the project BambĂş Social.

trees, fruits and a rich traditional building

A detailed poverty analysis can be found in

culture. The image of this traditional housing

the annex Social Research Nicaragua and

has been damaged by American influences

Implementation Plan.

(starting at 1855). Experience and knowledge

of local construction materials were lost

A detailed poverty analysis can be found

over the ages. Their current design for the

in appendix 5; Research Nicaragua and

social, affordable house is not cheap enough

Implementation Plan.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

BAMBÚ SOCIAL FOUNDATION Bambú Social is an educational and

show that bamboo housing is feasible.

construction project with the vision to

Bamboo has the potential of becoming a

share knowledge and expertise about

standard building material and be adapted

the use of local resources for sustainable

by the architects and universities, who are

and affordable social housing. On one

the engineers of the future.

hand, local communities that face housing challenges and have access to bamboo learn

In Rostow’s theory this movement is called

together with international experts how

transition and will be the first steps of the

to use this as a construction material. On

curve (take-off).

the other hand, international students and experts get a chance to experiment, learn,

2.2

METHOD AND ORGANIZATION

put their knowledge in practice and get in

The foundation works according five

touch with a new culture.

principles. It is important that these appear in the practice of the project.

2.1

MISSION The goal of the recently set up Bambú

Share knowledge and skills

Social Foundation is to improve the housing

Use local resources

conditions in Nicaragua by creating a

Create local systems

sustainable, affordable and comfortable

Make it environmentally prospering

house. This goal is to be reached together

Dare to play, dare to discover

with the local community, governmental and non-governmental organizations and experts

To be able to amplify the impact and

from all over the world.

professionalize the continuity, Bambú Social foundation has partnered up with the

“We want to share knowledge with locals and stimulate the acceptance of bamboo as a construction material”

Dutch based foundation Incombinación. Incombinación provides learning and intercultural opportunities, empowers solidarity and conscious living, and promotes participation in the development of society. The two foundations together are heading for an improvement of the social housing

This social housing project can be

condition, starting in, but not limited to

considered as an opportunity is to contribute

Nicaragua.

to solve the housing problems in Nicaragua. This will be an iterative process that will

In 2014 in a team of students and young

eventually meet its higher goal: contributing

professionals set up a ‘Sustainable

to the development of Nicaragua.

Construction’ course, together with the local university and the municipality, organized

The deliverables of the project Bambú Social

several workshops and presentations with

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

the local community and constructed a

model house has been donated to the local

model house of bamboo. The objective of

university and currently functions as a library.

this visit was to make a first step into creating a construction method with bamboo that can

The project has stopped developing when

be practiced in a completely local manner.

the first team left. In 2015 a new team will

Also a low-tech, natural water purification

contribute to continue to work done in 2014.

and storage system was integrated in order

The coming of new teams is necessary to

to provide clean drinking water for the

get the project cycling in this continuing

inhabitants of the house. The constructed

improving loop (virtuous circle). A fresh

model house, built in 2014, is the base for

look on the project will provide even faster

the design of an affordable social home

improvements. Therefore an assignment for

and the manual ‘Un manual de construcción

the second team has been defined in the

sostenible’, which explains the entire

next part.

process with step by step drawings. The

PROJECT BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

THE ASSIGNMENT This part begins with the assignment (which

the assignment and gaining background

is the actual scope) of Bambú Social 2.0,

knowledge. Also fundraising and gaining

where the assignment is explained. This

international publicity are very important in

assignment provides a structure and the

this stage.

whole project will shaped according to this structure. In this chapter, ‘project’ will refer

The execution phase in Nicaragua takes

to Bambú Social 2.0 starting September 2015

3 months and exists of three main stages;

until January 2016.

evaluation research(1), social research(2) and technical research(3). The stages cannot be

The internal project organization and risk

separated completely. Certain activities do

management will be discussed followed

overlap and are connected with each other.

up by the project structure. In here the assignment clarified on how the team will

If the team succeeds in all these topics, a

execute these tasks. These result in activities

true contribution will be made for the work

that are later summed up in a table.

of Bambú Social foundation. By constantly sharing our findings with local craftsmen and

3.1

ASSIGNMENT EXPLAINED

students we hope bamboo will become an

The project contains two main phases;

appreciated construction material and gets

the preparation phase and the execution

adopted by the local architects and students,

phase. The 2 months preparation phase

so the local research on bamboo can keep

takes place in The Netherlands. One of

developing.

the main activities in this phase is defining

PREPARATION PHASE

Research Both technical research (on bamboo) as an implementation research (of Nicaragua) is necessary for a good preparation and success during the internship. Fundraising To make the whole project possible, funds are needed. Therefore financial support has to be collected. The team is free to decide how and when. They are financially responsible. International Publicity In order to maintain continuity, the team will have to work on publicity in The Netherlands and further. Before departing, during the stay in Nicaragua and afterwards, there has to be enough social support from all parties who are and who aren’t related.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

EXECUTION PHASE

Local Publicity It is polite and necessary that the team will introduce itself in El Rama and tell the people what their goals are. 1. Evaluation Analysis (inspect the built model house) Analysis of the current condition of the built model house in El Rama. Physical aspects: • What is the current quality of the bamboo in the house? • What is the status of the bamboo? (walls, kitchen, toilet, water tank, connections etc) • Is the ventilation in the than a ‘regular’ social house? • Is the natural light in the house comfortable? • Is the temperature comfortable? Building process: • Investigate the building process of the model house. • How do the different parties experience the building process and the result? • what would they change and what do they like? 2. Social Analysis (investigate the social acceptance of bamboo housing) How do different parties think about the model house and what aspects of the house do they like and what would the change. Multiple populations have to be distinguished. • How does the youth experience the house and does it fulfill their needs? - Local youth and young students • How do older people/ families experience the house and does it fulfill their needs? - Families from the municipality and from Managua • How is the bamboo house compared to current houses? • What would is considered as an upgrade and what as a downgrade? • Is there space and opportunity for a bamboo market? • Could the business plan be implemented and how? 3. Building assignment (improve a part of the house) Stage one and two give us a clear view of the positive and negative aspects to the house. From these negative points we pick both a technical and social aspect what can be improved. • Pick an aspect that needs to be improved. The choice for this aspect must be justified by the physical and social research. • Design a solution for this problem and discuss why this would solve the problem. • Execute the proposed adjustment. • Test the constructed adjustment and check if it really is an improvement. • Write a report about the whole process.

PROJECT ORGANIZATION 4.1

TEAM, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Each role brings certain responsibilities which

The project team BambĂş Social 2.0 consists

are described below. During the assignment

of three students from the Delft University

it is unavoidable that our occupations will mix

of Technology and Leiden University in The

and overlay with others and we will assist each

Netherlands. Every team member has their

other if necessary.

personal occupation, related to their field of study.

Project management Fundraising

Thomas Hebbink, project management

Project planning

Bouwkunde, TU Delft Architectural design Marie-Louise Greijmans, construction design

Social research

Civil Engineering, TU Delft.

Architectural improvement

Sophie Hengeveld, architectural design

Construction design

Bouwkunde, TU Delft

Evaluation research

Psychology, Leiden University

Construction improvement

THOMAS HEBBINK, MARIE-LOUISE GREIJMANS AND SOPHIE HENGEVELD

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

4.2

STAKEHOLDERS During the project we will work with different parties. Both internal and external stakeholders are listed below.

INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS Client Bambú Social foundation (assistance in The Netherlands) Supervisor on site Henky Borgstein (practical assistance) Educational supervisor

In Appendix 2, Stakeholder information

Wim Ravestijn (educational assistance)

and topic list, you can find all contact information. The role of the stakeholders is

Associate

discussed beneath the project structure.

Verónica Mejías Reyes The associate will be helping us through the

4.3

FINANCE

whole project. She speaks fluent Spanish.

As described in the assignment, the team is

She will complete some tasks, mentioned in

responsible for the costs made during the

the project plan. The team is responsible for

project. This means that a big amount of

the work done by her.

money must be collected in advance.

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

In September the budget was set at 9000

El Rama inhabitants

euros. This contains construction materials,

Families, Companies, Church, participation

local labor costs, tools, camera, preparation

groups (see Appendix 5; Research Nicaragua

costs, accommodation and a margin on

and Implementation Plan)

contingency fees.

Director of Planification in El Rama

The goal is to collect the amount before

Javier Echeverría

departure (so it has to be done in two months). In the next chapter there’s

Local employees

described how the team will collect the

Alfredo and Theodoro (former students of

budget. A detailed description is shown in

the Bambú Social course)

appendix 3.

Universidad CentroAmérica (UCA) Emma Grun (teacher Urbanism) and students

PROJECT STRUCTURE The project is arranged according the same

FUNDRAISING

structure as the assignment. In the scheme

The team used different ways of funding and

you will see the overview here, followed by a

raining money to collect the 9000 euros of

detailed explanation.

our budget.

PREPARATION

EXECUTION

FUNDRAISING

LOCAL PUBLICITY

PUBLICITY RESEARCH

EVALUATION RESEARCH

SOCIAL RESEARCH

1. Personal grants The TU Delft stimulates students to explore projects and internships abroad. An TECHICAL RESEARCH

International Internship Fund was granted for each of team member with an amount of 250 euros. Unfortunately this will be

Under each heading the social

transferred after the project, so in the

implementation is discussed (what and how

meantime the team members will do the

will the collaboration with the local people

payments in advance.

from El Rama look like). These lead to

certain activities, which are also explained

2. Foundations

and connected to a team member for final

There are foundations who’s vision match

responsability. Only the first names of the

with our and who are willing to funds the

team members will be mentioned, to make

project. Student4Sustainability is a student

the reading more pleasant.

organization that support developing projects organized by students. They funded

At the end of this chapter, an elaborated

this project with an amount of maximum

planner is presented.

1600 euros. This amount may only cover construction costs.

5.1

PREPARATION PHASE Location: Delft, The Netherlands

3. Donations Friends, families and fans who are willing to support this project. A banking account was opened, as a sub account of Incombinación foundation (AMBI status). It is registered on Sophie’s name. Contacts could transfer money to this account. Also a donation page has been opened, where everyone can easily donate money online and in a few clicks through iDeal.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

4. Fundraising event

the existing organizations as potential new

The Bambú Social Night is an open event

partners who can support the project Bambú

with the main goal to collect money

Social 2.0. Therefore, good communication

through drinks, as for publicity. Live music,

with these organizations is crucial.

Nicaraguan Rum and a sala DJ will entertain the guests.

An information brochure was made in Dutch for friends and family and other social circles,

The team will thank all sponsors and

in order to gain more publicity.

supporters. Also the founder of the Bambú Social foundation as well as the founder of

In appendix 4 you can read the full

the Incombinación foundation and the vice-

promotion plan which describes how we’ll

consul of Equador will give a speech about

stay in contact with supporters and fans.

the project. This event will take place on the

This also relates to the second phase in

17th of October 2015.

Nicaragua. This contains the following components:

• Donation page

Sophie

• Bambú Social Night

Sophie

• Facebook updates

Marie-Louise

• Website updates

Marie-Louise

• Ginger updates

Sophie

INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY

• Hard copy Brochure

Sophie

It is very important for the project to stay

• Official updates

Sophie

“alive” and keep reaching people, even when another team is operating. The goal is to reach more people and get more

REPARATION RESEARCH

support. Dutch and international parties

The research done in advanced could

make this project realizable. These are both

be separated into technical research and

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

implementation research. In the technical

have access to loans yet; banks and micro

research a lot of has been reviewed. Some

finance organizations could provide this. The

of the literature was already gathered by

designers of (bamboo) housing should take

the previous team. Also the definition of the

into account that the house could function

assignment, the preparation of a business

be independent of the infrastructure. Bambú

model, writing this project plan and all

Social will stimulate all the actors mentioned

appendices was part of this phase of the

to use bamboo as a standard construction

project. The most important research is the

material, by responding to the lacks in the

implementation research. This is done by

current system. Bambú Social 2.0 will contact

the cultural development tools taught in

the director and universities.

the course Development, Sustainability & Culture (WM0942TU) at the TU Delft.

• How can Bambú Social contribute to development?

The team tries to find the answer to two

The direct components of which Bambú

main questions. A detailed analysis can be

Social has influence on are the education

found in appendix 5, Nicaragua Research

and research system and business system.

and Implementation Plan. The conclusions

By doing research and sharing knowledge

are presented in this chapter.

with the local students and universities, the foundation will contribute to bamboo

• How does the project become successful?

research. By working with local craftsmen

By applying all the functions on the current

and visiting the bamboo farm, the

situation, one main conclusion could be

foundation could provide starting companies

drawn: there’s a serious lack of knowledge

with entrepreneurial activities. The aim of

about the available construction material

both components is to upgrade and upscale

bamboo. Due to a lack of management and

the bamboo usage in the housing market.

guidance, there are little entrepreneurial activities in El Rama, this should be

The goal for Bambú Social is to eventually

stimulated by the directors of El Rama.

let go of the components so that they can develop thereselves independently of an

People are interested in the bamboo, but

intermediate organization (external help).

there has to be an extra push coming from Bambú Social. Building with bamboo is spread easily, but this has to be done by

5.2

EXECUTION PHASE Location: El Rama, Nicaragua.

the universities. Building companies should invest better the housing demand and

This phase includes three main stages

possibilities. By articulating better on the

(these are numbered) next to the general

demands and responding to the research

part, existing of local publicity and social

at the universities, the housing market

implementation.

could function much better. People do not

LOCAL PUBLICITY AND SOCIAL IMPLEMENTATION

A follow-up meeting may be possible with

As shown in the scheme of the project

the whole council and people who were

structure, this part is one that starts at arrival

involved last year. This will take place in

until departure. So it is not a stage bound to

the first week. Important is to not involve

any time. The goal of the local publicity is to

people who are not familiar with the project,

introduce the project (again) and ourselves,

otherwise they would be biased for the

which is polite to the people of El Rama. This

house interviews).

is the first step of the social implementation.

It is important that the project and research

A second meeting could be organized to

done becomes known around the village and

keep the people updated and interested in

that people feel involved.

Bambú Social.

The social implementation is the most

In the last week a final meeting will be

important part of the project. A social

organized. All the processes and activities

bamboo house design and construction

done for the project will be discussed

for the Nicaraguan population is only really

and shared with the people from El Rama

useful if the local population is involved.

(the people who helped, but also those

The purpose of the social implementation is

interested in the project). The results are

two-fold: the sharing of information and the

presented, but the word is given to the

acquisition of information (“The sharing of

population, what their plans for the coming

knowledge and expertise”).

months and years are with regard to bamboo.

The first thing we will do is to be done in Nicaragua is have an introduction meeting

• Introduction meeting

Marie-Louise

with the Director of Planification of El Rama.

• Final meeting

Marie-Louise

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

1. EVALUATION RESEARCH

components are: ventilation, light and

In 2014 the first team of Bambú Social did

temperature.

a lot of research on social housing and bamboo. After an expanded social research

Building process

and different physical bamboo experiments,

This is not a physical aspect, but an

the first model house in El Rama was built.

organizational aspect. Here we will interview

Based on this design and feedback another

different parties that were involved in the

design was made for the social house. In

building process. The team has to know in

order to make any technical improvements,

advance what the approach of the building

a physical bamboo research has to be done.

process of Bambú Social was, and how it

The house hasn’t been maintained after the

came over to the locals. The team will mostly

departure of this team. Our first task is to

speak to the local employees who were the

investigate the different (physical) aspects of

most involved.

the model house. This forms an evaluation of the work done in 2014.

The team will investigate the buildings steps, the planning, the logistics, division of the

Status of the bamboo

tasks, the safety during construction and the

In order to investigate the current quality of

responsibilities. Also the opinion regarding

the bamboo, different environments have

the design of the house built will be taken

to be distinguished. For example: bamboo

into account. After completing all these

used in the tank likely to suffer from fungus

steps, it will become clear for the team what

due to the humid environment, while

components of the bamboo house could be

bamboo used for the roof may suffer from

improved, in terms of physical improvements

dehydrations due to exposure to the sun.

and building process.

Therefore the bamboo quality is split up to two categories: - External quality of the bamboo in the

• Physical research

Marie-L. & Thomas

• Meeting employees

Marie-L. & Thomas

• Write a report

Marie-L. & Thomas

model house (water tank, water filters, roofs, connections, foundations)

2. SOCIAL RESEARCH - Internal status of the bamboo (the walls,

Designing and constructing a (social) house

lights, kitchen, toilet)

with bamboo for the people of Nicaragua wouldn’t be of any sense if their opinion was

Inner climate

left out. At the moment the people need

By this task we’ll focus on the ambiance

housing, for that, their desire is a safe home

inside of the model house. This part is

which fits with their living standard what

subjective, therefore also the opinion of

doesn’t cost too much.

a couple of local people is asked. The

Unfortunately, building with bamboo isn’t

responsibility, as if they own the project.

a standard yet, and therefore, the people

Having said all that, our role in during this

of Nicaragua don’t see this bamboo

whole project must seem very passive, where

construction method as a solution for the

it is in reality very active.

housing needed. So their needs don’t fit with

our solution (there’s dysfunction of Demand

This research will start simultaneously with

Articulation of Innovation Systems) (Alphen,

the first one. The goal is to get to know

2008). To make the opportunity fit with the

more about the housing needs of the people

needs, people have to see any chance of

and to see if this could fit with bamboo

success, and they have to see if it works.

housing. We cannot generalize the people

Therefore it is interesting what the current

of Nicaragua; therefore a division of different

use of the model house is, or if it is currently

populations have to be distinguished. These

closed.

groups are:

To make this happen you need to make

LOCAL (EL RAMA)

CAPITAL (MANAGUA)

the people feel as if they came up with the

Youth

Students

idea to use bamboo. Then you have the

Small families

Adults

feeling that they own this method and that’s

Big families

it their project. When this is so, people feel connected with this goal and it will motivate

The activities are split up based on the

them intrinsically. If the people of El Rama

location.

have the idea that it’s our project (Bambú Social), they will not feel that involved and

Municipality El Rama

connected with the project.

First we’ll do visual interviews; the people have to make drawings of what they desire

Through the interviews and brainstorm with

as a house. The bamboo material nor house

the local people, to ask what they think of

is mentioned, so the people could not be

bamboo in general and the house, we want

biased. This will take place in the first to and

to trigger a self-stimulation to activate them

third week. This will be prepared during the

into a thinking and designing process. In

first phase preparations.

the end, they came up with new and maybe better ideas for some construction elements.

After that, we’ll invite people from El Rama

Besides the people from El Rama, a lot of

to the model house and document their

potential also lies at the universities. We

reactions. The group must start a discussion

want architects and students to get more

about the house and bamboo and if they

active with bamboo and do more research in

could live in these bamboo houses.

order to make new designs of other kind of houses. Eventually bamboo becomes a new

A possibility is to invite women (the ones

material standard, only if they think it’s their

who mostly cook in Nicaragua) to the model

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

house and ask them to cook and interview

reports it must become clear what aspects

them on what they think of the kitchen.

and components of the bamboo house could be improved. At least one component

Brainstorm UCA

must be improved. This will be done

The team will visit the university to

by making multiple design options and

discuss (social) housing in Nicaragua with

afterward constructing and testing them.

students and some teachers. Their housing

Two parties will be involved; each of them

background differs probably, so they would

contributes in a different way (design and

first explain what common designs for their

construction).

houses and social houses are. After that we’ll

take a look at the current design and how

Design Case UCA

bamboo is used. We’ll ask what they do and

During the first meeting with UCA, or maybe

do not like of the house. After this meeting

a second one later on, the design part of

the team will have a better view on what

the bamboo house will be discussed. While

could be possible improvements concerning

bamboo will, over the period, be brought

the design.

more to attention, this will naturally lead to a brainstorm on bamboo housing. The

• Home visits El Rama

Sophie & Veronica

team will write out a design case and the

• House gatherings

Sophie & Veronica

students and architects will elaborate and

• Brainstorm UCA 1

Team 2 & Veronica

bring up a design. This way the students

• Write a repor

Sophie & Veronica

themselves come up with new designs. This part is crucial for the continuation (see next

As a final part of this social research, the

chapter).

team will also investigate if there is any space and opportunity for a bamboo

Supervisor on site

market. A business model for a future local

Henky Borgstein is a Dutch man, living

bamboo company is made in which both

in El Rama, who has been involved in the

the municipalities as the universities are

previous project. Since then he continued

a partner. This is done according to the

to experiment with bamboo connections.

business model canvas taught at the course

During the preparation phase (in The

Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WM0565TU)

Netherlands), he prepares the bamboo

at the TU Delft. This business model is

harvest.

attatched as appendix 6, Business Model BambúBueno. In the chapter Project

Bamboo itself needs to be chopped,

Continuation this model is reflected.

cleaned, handled and dried. This takes longer than a month. Because of his

3. TECHNICAL RESEARCH

experience, Henky could be of lots of help.

After completing the first two stages, two

Together with him and the local employees

reports will be written. Based on these

we’ll fine tune the design and construct it.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

Because of various influences on the design

Output design: technical design (for

and construction part (experienced local

example connections) and an architectural

craftsmen, Dutch students and young

design.

architects) the team thinks that the result would be well founded and professional.

• BrainstormUCA 2

Team 2 & Veronica

This will process will be documented

• Meeting employees

Thomas & Marie-L.

extensively.

• Interview employees Thomas • Bamboo preparation Team 2 & Veronica

Not only the practical part, but also the

• Construction improv. Marie-Louise

building process will be documented. During

• Research design

the construction the team will also have to

• Architectural improv. Sophie

idea to ask what the parties involved think of

• Construct the improv. Marie-Louise

the idea to put the whole bamboo housing

• Test the improvement Marie-Louise

into practice, and about an automatic

• Write a report

building process.

Sophie

Team 2 & Veronica

PROJECT CONTINUATION As mentioned before, continuation is very

part could be even more expanded; this is

important. Without having the bigger image

also the most difficult part. Not everyone

in mind and focusing on the next steps, the

is capable of building the parts (not even

project is likely to collapse. The goal is to

have a design background) and constructing

let the project stand on its own, without any

the whole house (putting it all together).

help from abroad. To fulfill this goal, two

The team has therefore made a plan for a

processes have to be emphasized. These

company that makes prefab construction

are the construction and design part. The

components. The people could then

construction part is done locally by the

construct the house themselves and aren’t

craftsmen. The design part is done centrally

dependent of governmental organizations.

at the university by the architects. They are the engine behind the project and have the

This model can therefore dodge corruption,

task to implement bamboo material usage

which is a negative character (particularism)

around the country. This is done by the third

of cultural dimensions (Trompenaars &

function of innovation systems: knowledge

Hampden-Turner, 2010).

diffusion (Alphen, 2008).

The company buys bamboo from the farmers

6.1

CONSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY

and treaters. They own different designs for

For this, the team has written a business

bamboo houses, bigger ones and smaller

model for a future local company who forms

ones. The smaller ones are also possible to

a link in the whole chain of construction

expand. The company could not make too

process. In the appendix you can read the

much of the prefab elements for the big or

whole business model, only a summary will

smaller house, these two models contain the

be presented here.

same construction parts. IKEA© is a great example of this. Therefore up scaling will

Bamboo chain contains: chopping, handling

make the construction elements cheaper,

and drying, constructing. The constructing

less material is lost and less working hours are needed. Additional services could be: the construction service and financial service. Even though the construction process is simplified, it could still be too difficult. Employees of the company could build the house for the family. It’s also common that the family isn’t able to pay the whole house in one time. The company therefore has this financial service. People could lease the prefab parts (this also means that while

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

leasing, the family has warranty on the

topic again. By involving staff and teachers,

elements).

we want to show how and what bamboo can contribute to the housing in Nicaragua.

Aside from the main goal, setting up

Therefore students have to get education

a prefab bamboo company in order to

about bamboo and not only concrete and

continue the bamboo housing construction,

steel.

this model has also some positive side effects: create more jobs for the people,

When this is implemented in the main

contributing to bamboo research

curriculum of architecture (or civil

and contribute to a more sustainable

engineering), future architects and engineers

environment. To start this company, the

would use bamboo more often. Even so,

foundation does need a big amount of

standard designs for social houses, that

money to finance the first phase (lending

are now built by the government and

people money to build their houses). This

unfortunately are built of concrete and

will be earned back later on.

steel, would become bamboo. So not only the local people will use this material, but

During our project we’ll investigate what the

it becomes a country’s standard to live in

possibility for these companies is. This will

bamboo houses.

be implemented in the recommendation report.

In the previous project and our project, the first steps are made by organizing

6.2

DESIGN AND R&D CONTINUITY

meetings together with the Universidad

As explained before, students who’ll

CentroAmérica. Now these two parts of

become architects and engineers are the

continuation have been discussed. One

designers and builders of the future. When

provides the up scaling and the other

good education is provided, they are able

one the upgrading. To be sure that this

to build a better world. Of course this

continuation and knowledge is transferred

knowledge has to connect to what’s best for

well, so that the next groups are on the same

the country. Based on this project, Bambú

line with the ‘bigger project’, the steps and

Social thinks that bamboo as a building

conclusions has to be documented well.

material could fit perfectly in the Nicaraguan

Therefore the team will write an internal

construction standard. Unfortunately there

recommendation report for Bambú Social

aren’t any courses about bamboo at the UCA

foundation.

(yet). There are projects about bamboo, and some professional architects are specialized

In appendix 5, Research Nicaragua and

in bamboo structures.

Implementation Plan, an elaborated scheme is presented of the national innovation

By organizing brainstorms and design cases,

system where the relations between the

the team hopes that bamboo becomes hot-

components are shown.

RISK MANAGEMENT

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

The main goal of our project, explained in

Plan B focuses on the roof design of the

the previous chapters, is to do an evaluation,

social house. Currently it is made out of

a social and technical research. However,

corrugated sheets of tin but Bambú Social

there is a chance that due to unforeseen

aims for a roof made out of local and

circumstances we cannot successfully reach

sustainable products. There are already

this goal.

several plans for a sustainable roof made out of ferro-cement applied over bamboo rods.

The crucial points where the project may fail

In plan B we will test this plan to find out if

or delay are summed up:

it is a good solution for the current roofing

• Bad contact with local people

problem.

• No student enthusiasm from the university • No bamboo prepared

In plan C we will join Henky Borgstein in his

• The house is in bad condition and not safe

research and investigate the possibility of a

• No planning: ‘mañana, mañana, mañana’.

dome construction. This dome will function as the main supporting construction on to

Therefore we have drafted plan B and C,

which the floor and walls are attached in

which are back-up plans for if we cannot

such a way that they hang.

carry out our plan A.

BIBLIOGRAPHY • Alphen, V. (2008). Innovation Systems for Technology Transfer. • FSD. (2015). Nicaragua at a glance. Retrieved from Foundation for Sustainable Development: http://www.fsdinternational.org/country/nicaragua • IDB. (2012). Central America Data. Retrieved from Inter-American Development Bank: www. centralamericadata.com • John, A. B., & Seligson, M. A. (2010). Political Culture of Democracy in Nicaragua. ©LAPOP. • Lambert, T. (2013). A short history of Nicaragua. Retrieved from Local Histories: http://www. localhistories.org/nicaragua.html • Major, M. (2005, August 15). The Sandinista Revolution and the “Fifth Freedom”. • MR Zine. (1943). A Theory of human motivation. In A. H. Maslow.

• Trompenaars, F., & Hampden-Turner, C. (2010). Over de grenzen van cultuur en management. Amsterdam: Business Contact. • UN. (n.d.). Millennium Goals. Retrieved from United Nations: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ World Bank. (2014). Retrieved from World Bank data: data.worldbank.org

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

APPENDICES

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

APPENDIX 4

PROMOTION PLAN Dutch parties make this project realizable.

at creating a more publicity rather than

These are both the existing organizations as

distribute official information about the

potential new partners who can support the

progress of the project.

project Bambú Social 2.0. Therefore, good communication with these organizations is

The social network of the team members

crucial.

will therefore be informed in different ways of new updates on bambusocial.com. This is

Bambú Social 2.0 itself will collaborate with

done through the Facebook page of Bambú

organizations that support this particular

Social, but also through our personal pages

project (temporary). The foundation is

and via email.

responsible for periodic communications to the existing sponsors.

Also, friends and family who donate through the donate page (www.bambusocial.com/

Sponsors of Bambú Social 2.0 are kept

donate) enter their email address so they

informed through emails that link to updates

can then be kept informed of new updates

on the website. Donators and contacts

on the project.

from social circles stay informed through Facebook, where they will be redirected to

The first official update (to be published on

the official website.

the website) to the Dutch party will be just before departure (15-25 October). It will

During September and October (when in

be described the progress made in recent

The Netherlands), the team will publish

months with a plan for Nicaragua. The

small sporadic updates. The purpose of

update will be in PDF format. (The same

the communication in this period is aimed

structure is held as the first group of Bambú Social). Note that these updates will appear in English, so these updates could also be scattered worldwide. During the months operating in Nicaragua, four official updates will be published. (Rough format: 1. arrival, findings, 2. material planning, social implementation, design 3. build social implementation, prefab 4. research results, feedback locals....) In addition, minor updates will continue to appear on the website so that the project continues to live on in the Netherlands, even if the team operates in Nicaragua. Through

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

the minor has set up a platform where the

and serves as a “farewell party” for the

project updates should put on. The official

departing team. During the speech, the

publications and updates will appear on this

sponsors and donors are thanked. Some

website http://tudelft.gingerresearch.net/

profit made on each drink will go to the project and will be spent in Nicaragua for

In addition to this ‘online’ promo, there will

the research.

also be live promo. There are folders printed which will be personally spread to fellow

In short, the coming months a broad basis

students and teachers. These folders provide

will be created with the central platform

a summary of the project Bambú Social

www.bambusocial.com website. Online as

2.0 and information on the various ways to

well as live will be friends, family, supporters

support the project. In here some reference

and sponsors to be notified of new updates

are made towards the websites and updates.

on the website. Herein involves two types

To crown the promo plan is mid-October

of updates; Small sporadic updates of

Bambú Social Event, a fundraising event,

milestones and other interesting findings

where all the people who have supported

during the whole period. In addition, four

the project are welcome. The latin-american

more official updates will be posted to once

tinted evening will have a casual atmosphere

again summarize the progress of the project.

APPENDIX 5

NICARAGUA & IMPLEMENTATION In this annex multiple analyses on Nicaragua

The first question is mainly answered based

will be done. This is done by the tools of

on assumptions. For the second question

the course Development, Sustainability &

external sources are used.

Culture (WM0942TU) at the TU Delft. There are four analyses: Poverty Analysis,

HOW DOES THE PROJECT BAMBÚ SOCIAL (2.0) BECOME SUCCESSFUL?

Institutional Analysis, Cultural Analysis and the Innovation Analysis. These are based on assumptions, experience of previous visitors and online research. These tools

WHICH ACTORS AND FACTORS ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION?

are necessary for the work that will be done

in Nicaragua. In order to prepare for the

The second question is answered with the

journey to Nicaragua the team must realize

functions of Innovation Systems. There

what they could encounter and how to

are two sets of functions of innovation

tackle certain problems. Two main questions

systems. Hekkert describes the functions of

are being answered, and for that multiple

innovation systems of developed countries,

analyses has to be made.

where Van Alphen describes to functions

BIBLIOGRAPHY • Bank, W. (n.d.). Retreived from http://web.worldbank.org/ • Briney, A. (n.d.). Geography of Nicaragua. Retrieved from http://geography.about.com/od/ nicaraguamaps/a/nicaragua-geography.htm • Freedom House (2008). Authoritarianism Overshadows Nicaraguan Elections. • John, A. B., & Seligson, M. A. (2010). Political Culture of Democracy in Nicaragua. ©LAPOP. LocalParty. (n.d.). Equal Voter Democratic World. Retrieved from: http://localparty.org/democracy. html • Nicaragua, G. o. (2001). A strengthened Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy. • Sachs, J. (2005). End of Poverty. • Sandina, L. (2014, 10 16). Nicaragua calificada como segunda economía más libre en Centroamérica. Retrieved from: http://www.lasandino.com.ni/articulos/ver/titulo:321nicaragua-calificada-como-segunda-economia-mas-libre-en-centroamerica • Schneider, M. C., & Nájera, P. (2012). Leptospirosis Outbreaks in Nicaragua: Identifying Critical Areas and Exploring Drivers for Evidence-Based Planning. International Journal of Environmental and Public Health. • WorldBank. (2014). Retrieved from: data.worldbank.org • All figures are gained ©LAPOP (John & Seligson, 2010).

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

that are more suitable for underdeveloped

activity. The first team set up different

countries. A choice has to be made for

production processes of for example

which functions to use. For the analysis

baskets. This doesn’t happen anymore. This

on Nicaragua, El Rama, it would be more

is so because of a lack of management and

suitable to encounter the situation (actors

guidance of the process. Also the businesses

and factors) through the functions of Van

aren’t using the opportunities by using

Alphen. Because Nicaragua is very big, it

available resources for the right demand.

is very likely for some situations to differ. Therefore the functions are applied to El

2. Creation of adaptive capacity.

Rama and similar municipalities. Also the

The BICU University students do learn

factors are oriented on the housing market,

about building processes and agriculture.

which is of most interest for Bambú Social.

However, innovation and new courses come from outside. Last team gave a course at

1. Entrepreneurial Activities

the BICU to teach them about sustainable

In El Rama there’s a lack of entrepreneurial

constructions. BICU itself does not develop

new knowledge about bamboo, same

lack of knowledge.

as UCA University in Managua. They do

6. Resources mobilization.

appreciate this new material and knowledge,

As said before, there are few mass housing

but need an external stimulance to develop

projects funded by the government. Beside

some interest in research in order to develop

the fact that these are huge investments

new technologies of bamboo. Institutions

and these aren’t the first priority of the

from abroad could provide and facilitate

government, it is also too expensive due to

this research, but it has to be done locally,

a bad choice of material (that doesn’t fit with

because of the material.

the environment). Poor people also don’t have access to a bank and a loan provided

3. Knowledge diffusion through networks

by the bank because of extreme poverty.

Last year students from UCA made an urban

There’s a serious lack of resources in the

planning for El Rama, after Bambú Social

current housing market.

visited UCA and linked the capital with the

municipality, the word was spread. In the

7. Creation of legitimacy.

capital there may be a lot of knowledge,

Despite the extreme poverty and bad

but this isn’t naturally diffused around the

housing, the current living situation is

country.

considered normal. People are not actively engaged with better housing, because of

4. Demand articulation.

the fact that they usually have a piece of

At the moment, in the housing industry,

roof above their head (literally), and gaining

there is no matching demand with the supply

money to buy food is more important. For

because there’s no information exchange.

the people with a bit of a higher standard,

People now live in terrible houses, while

they do care about the appearance of their

a cheaper, more sustainable option of

house, but do not have the opportunity to

bamboo houses is available. There’s a lack

explore with bamboo because of a lack of

of investigation of the demand and supply.

knowledge. Bambú Social and eventually

People do need better houses, but are

the population should counteract resistance

obstructed by the use of bad materials.

of the change of construction material, by proving that bamboo housing is feasible.

5. Market formation. Most houses are being built by the families

8. Infrastructure networks

their selves. There is a market for the current

There are roads in Nicaragua and El

construction materials, but so expensive,

Rama, but they are not all suitable for the

bad quality housing is the result. The

transportation of construction material. For

government does invest in social housing

a functional (bamboo) housing market, new

and entire villages are being provided by

roads have to be built. There is infrastructure

concrete houses. There is not yet a bamboo

of electricity and sometimes even water

branch in the housing industry because of a

net, but is far from accessible for the poor

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

people. For Bambú Social it is important

CULTURAL ANALYSIS AND CIVIL SOCIETY

to design a house, independent of the infrastructure.

1. Power distance/hierarchy egalitarianism. It is clear the government

By applying all the functions on the current

has great power and average Nicaraguan

situation, one main conclusion could be

people do not seem too involved with

drawn: there’s a serious lack of knowledge

the local government. Of course in the

about the available construction material

governmental system there has to be a

bamboo. Due to a lack of management and

hierarchy. The figures show that even with

guidance, there are little entrepreneurial

municipal offices the gap between the

activities in El Rama, this should be

population and governors is big. It is still not

stimulated by the directors of El Rama.

clear if this has something to do with power

People are interested in the bamboo, but

distance.

there has to be an extra push coming from Bambú Social. Building with bamboo is spread easily, but this has to be done by the Universities. Building companies should

invest better the housing demand and possibilities. By articulating better on the demands and responding to the research at the Universities, the housing market could function much better. People do not have access to loans yet; banks and micro finance organizations could provide this. The designers of (bamboo) housing should take into account that the house could function be independent of the infrastructure. After

Img. 1. Have you ever sought to help from or petitioned a municipal official or office?

all, Bambú Social must stimulate all the actors mentioned before to use bamboo as a standard construction material, by responding to the lacks in the current system. How can Bambú Social contribute to development? How does entrepreneurship and innovation result in development? The answer could be found by doing a cultural analysis and an analysis on the national innovation system.

Img. 2. Was your issue or request resolved?

2. Individualism – collectivism.

traditional. The diagram below shows in

The high participation rate (in elections

what institutions gain the most trust by the

and civic groups), show that people see the

population. The upper institutions (except

utility in cooperating. There’s also a high

for media) the army, Catholic Church,

expectancy ratio of the institutions.

national police, national government, are very much trusted, but also the most

3. Masculine – feminine

stable institutions. This could prove that

The belief that the state has a major

Nicaraguan people do like traditionalism

responsibility for promoting social welfare

and dislike uncertainty (like political parties

has an average level of agreement of 85 on

and elections).

the 100 point scale. Nicaraguans strongly

endorse the notion that the government

5. Universalism – particularistic. Nicaragua

holds the major responsibility for promoting

is definitely particularistic. The most severe

the welfare of citizens and taking care of

consequence is corruption. The graphs

individuals by reducing inequality, promoting

below show that relation between bribe

employment, and providing pensions and

activities and gender, wealth and education.

health care. Age is not significantly related to party identification. This consensus

6. Specific – diffuse.

among Niraguans means that the country is

Nicaragua is a country with intermediate

controlled by a feminine state.

levels of interpersonal trust compared to other countries in the region. The trust in

4. Certainty avoidance – traditionalism.

neighbors increases with education and

The country can be considered very

age but that it suffers from a perception of

Img. 3. Trust in specific institutions

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

personal insecurity. Contrary to expectation,

one another to better the community

civil society activity in Nicaragua has

they live in it improves their trust in their

little effect on developing trust. When

neighbors. It can be concluded that

Nicaraguans organize to collaborate with

Nicaragua is therefore very diffuse. 7. Neutral – affective. Related to the previous answer, it can be said that diffuse cultures (high context) are relatively affective, but only in a different way. Because of the fact the trust is low, it can be concluded that people do not show emotions in public. However, the high participation rate of civic organizations shows that there is an urge to express opinions and feelings with other similar-like people. 8. Status by achievement - position. The corruption is very high; this does not automatically mean that people achieve their status by position. But the figure does show that corruption increases as the wealth goes up. This indicates that people more inclined to give bribal money in order to get what they want. It can be concluded that status is quicker gained by position than by achievement. 9. Sequential – synchronous. It is generally known that peoples in Latin America are in general sequential ordered. 10. Internalism – externalism. It is not directly clear how people get motivated. There is some data about the participation groups (see next figure), but you couldn’t tell if it’s internal motivation

Img. 4. Corruption victimization by education, sex, children and wealth in Nicaragua

of external motivation (due to bad causes). The next figure tends that the participation

Img. 5. Participation in meetings of civil Organizations in Nicaragua, 2010

Img. 6. Participation in a Demonstration or Protest in Comparative Perspective

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

is most external driven, because the

Councils than in community improvement

participation in protests is relatively high in

organizations, so the FSLN and its

the region.

supporters likely enjoyed increased influence over public policy. In 2006, Daniel Ortega

11. Civil Society realignment of individuals

Saavdra, an FSLN candidate (Sandanista),

and organizations independent from family

was elected.

loyalty and state authority. Involvement in civil society organizations

Freedom House downgraded Nicaragua’s

varied widely across group type and has

political freedom score from a 3 to a 4 in

stabilized after a long post-revolutionary

2009. Freedom House criticized “President

decline. The only Nicaraguan group type

Daniel Ortega’s government” and cited as

with a significant increase in participation

problems for political liberty “a pattern of

since 2004 was Citizen Power Councils.

authoritarian measures directed against

Political. Young Nicaraguans, like their

opposition parties, civil society, and media

older fellow citizens, generally expressed

[and] hostility exhibited towards human

democratic norms. The young were

rights defenders.” (Freedom House -

more tolerant than older Nicaraguans of

“Authoritarianism Overshadows Nicaraguan

homosexuals and gay marriage, but still

Elections, 2008).

on average disapproved of both. Younger Nicaraguans participated in politics less than

By analyzing all 11 commandments of

older Nicaraguans in many ways, including

culture and the concept of civil society, it is

civil society activism.

clearer how Bambú Social can contribute to the development in Nicaragua. Despite

Nicaraguans’ civil society engagement

the extreme poverty, the population could

contributed greatly to mobilize their political

be seen a cohesive and participating mass,

participation. Involvement in community

because of the collective and feminine

improvement groups and in Citizen Power

character. The government and NGO’s can

Councils (CPC) each contributed greater

utilize this by meeting the right tactics to

involvement in other types of political

create goodwill and address developing

participation. CPC involvement associated

problems. Particularism (corruptions) is still a

with greater protesting. Levels of civil society

major pitfall for the Nicaraguan government.

engagement overall appear essentially static

The average population seems ready for

since 2006 except for involvement in CPCs

institutional reforms, but the bigger the

which rose from 2008 to 2010. This elevated

wealth, closer to the government, the

CPC and community group involvement

corruption increases. Nicaragua should

resulted in recent improvement in contacting

invest in good governance (Paul Collier and

public officials and in engaging local

Dambisa Moyo) and capabilities (Amartya

government. Sandinista sympathizers and

Sen). This brings us to the next part, where

voters were more active in the Citizen Power

Bambú Social comes in.

NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS

and research system and business system.

The scheme of national innovation systems

By doing research and sharing knowledge

(by Arnold and Bell 2001), is adjusted for the

with the local students and Universities,

project BambĂş Social. The ideal situation of

the foundation will contribute to bamboo

the influence of the foundation is explained.

research. By working with local craftsmen

Enablers and barriers are also summed at

and visiting the bamboo farm, the

the end.

foundation could provide starting companies with entrepreneurial activities. The aim of

The direct components of which BambĂş

both components is to upgrade and upscale

Social has influence on are the education

the bamboo usage in the housing market.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

The goal for Bambú Social is to eventually let go of the components so that they can develop thereselves independently of an intermediate organization (external help). There is a demand of affordable and sustainable housing. This does not automatically mean that there’s a demand for bamboo housing. Through participation groups the word of benefits of bamboo housing can be spread. The foundation could also set up a microfinance system where locals can rent money from abroad and pay back their houses in time. The fiscal, subsidy and banking system can not be changed directly by Bambú Social. However

encountered by seven aspects which can be

impact on local government is not excluded.

used as tools to diagnose the poverty in a

Finally, the enablers and barriers are

country (Sachs, 2005). In this case Nicaragua.

summed.

An elaborated research could be done, but only the highlights are mentioned.

ENABLERS

BARRIERS

Universities

Government

Bamboo farmers

(fiscal system)

New bamboo companies

Climate

Participation groups

For an overview of the poverty in Nicaragua (in 2001), the image above is shown (WorldBank, 2014). 1. Poverty traps • Climate shocks

Local government

Nicaragua is frequently being hit by

Collectivism

Diffuse

(High participation rate)

Power distance

Feminine

Traditionalism

Affective

Particularism

Internalism

Status by position Externalism

earthquakes and hurricanes. These have severe consequences for the country. Hurricane Mitch is the most recent, deadliest Atlantic hurricane. Nearly 11,000 people were confirmed dead, and almost as many reported missing. Deaths were mostly from flooding and mudslides, and dropped nearly 36 inches (900 mm) of rain. The flooding

POVERTY ANALYSIS

and mudslides damaged or destroyed tens

As an additional tool, the poverty analysis

of thousands of homes, with total damage

has been done on Nicaragua. In Clinical

amounting to over $5 billion (1998 USD, $6

Economics by Jeffrey Sachs, poverty is

billion 2006 USD).

Total number of cases of leptospirosis, cumulative incidence rate (10,000 populations), by municipality, Nicaragua, 2004–2010 2. Economic policy framework • Despite the extreme poverty in Nicaragua, they do have a relatively open economy. In October 2014 Nicaragua has

• Environmental

been qualified as the second most open

The environment of municipalities where

economy in Central America. They scored

poverty rate is measured has a lot of

a 7.44 out of the 10, after evaluating

influence on the outcome. As many more

aspects such as the size of government

countries, urban areas are wealthier than

and spending; respect for private property;

rural areas. The diagram shows that in

monetary stability; freedom of international

Nicaragua almost 70% of the people live

trade and labor regulations; access to credit

beneath the poverty line. (Nicaragua, 2001)

and facilitating trade and business (Sandina, 2014). The figure below shows the mean

• Disease Leptospirosis is an epidemic-prone zoonotic

capita consumption per municipality in 2005 (WorldBank, 2014).

disease that occurs worldwide. In Central America, leptospirosis outbreaks have been

• Nicaragua’s economy is based mainly

reported in almost all countries; Nicaragua

on agriculture and industry, with its top

in particular has faced several outbreaks.

industrial products being food processing,

(Schneider & Nájera, 2012)

chemicals, machinery and metal products,

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and

second highest in the region (after Brazil). In

distribution, beverages, footwear and wood.

1994, annual per capita public health care

Nicaragua’s main crops are coffee, bananas,

spending was US$23.2, higher than that of

sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco,

any other Central American country except

sesame, soya and beans. Beef, veal, pork,

Costa Rica, and much higher than is typical

poultry, dairy products, shrimp and lobster

for an economy with a similar GDP per

are also large industries in Nicaragua.

capita. However, the coverage of primary

(Briney)

health care is insufficient.

3. Fiscal framework and fiscal trap

• The picture above shows extremes

• Does public investment needs meet

of wealth of the top 10% of nations in

poverty reduction targets? Nicaragua’s

different democratic forms. Nicaragua has

public spending in the social sectors is

proportional and presidential elections.

higher than in most Central American

Presidential elections are not proportional

countries. Such spending is not well-

elections; they are an addition to a

targeted to the poor and results in

democracy which in itself is a winner-

inadequate funding for basic services. Per

take-all election. Together this forms a

student spending in primary education

specific mix of proportional plus district

is US$55 per year compared to a Latin

elections (LocalParty). The figure shows

American average of US$100. At the same

that Nicaraguas top 10% wealth stands out,

time, higher education, which was shown

compared to other countries with simular

in the poverty assessment to serve the

election systems, with almost 50% of the

non-poor exclusively, receives US$800

GNP. This shows that there’s a extreme

per student per year. Nicaragua’s higher/

unequal ratio between the rich and the poor.

primary spending ratio (14.5 times) is the

4. Physical geography

considered a republic. It has an executive

The recovery of the agricultural sector has

branch made up of a chief of state and a

been slow due to several sector-specific

head of government, both of which are

constraints, mentioned below. (WorldBank,

filled by the president and a legislative

2014)

branch comprised of a unicameral National Assembly. Nicaragua’s judicial branch

• The inadequate implementation of

consists of a Supreme Court. Nicaragua

sectoral policies and the lack of a strategy

is divided into 15 departments and two

for addressing rural poverty. There is little

autonomous regions for local administration.

coordination among institutions, which

have weak formulation and implementation

• Since the independence, Nicaragua

capacity. No emphasis has been placed on

underwent several civil wars and rival

defining policies and programs that are cost-

political groups. After 1990, when the

effective while also benefiting poor farmers,

dictatorship has taken place for democracy,

such as agricultural research, training and

the government was focusing on economy

extension services.

stabilization and improving human rights. Despite the goal to end government

• Insecurity of land tenure and inefficient

corruption, the last presidents have been

land markets. Although the government is

each marred with corruption.

addressing this issue, progress is slow. 6. Cultural barriers • Although many programs exist, there

• Nicaragua was colonized by Spain and

is a lack of viable financing schemes for

has a similar culture to other Spanish-

small and medium- size farmers, and many

speaking American countries. The eastern

programs use credit as a means to transfer a

half of the country, on the other hand, was

subsidy or social assistance.

once a British protectorate, and English spoken domestically along with Spanish and

• Although Nicaraguan basic grains can

indigenous languages.

compete effectively at the regional level, small producers are unable to benefit

• Religious freedom and tolerance are

because of the high costs of information,

promoted both by the government and the

poor rural infrastructure (particularly rural

constitution, there is no separation.

roads), the high costs of transportation, and non-tariff barriers, such as complicated and

• There are little signs of significant cultural

discretionary export requirements.

barriers.

5. Governance patterns and failures

7. Geopolitics

• Today Nicaragua’s government is

• From 1909 to 1979 the relationship with

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

the United States has improved, especially

• The inadequate implementation of

during the dictatorship of Samoza. When the

sectoral policies and the lack of a strategy

Sandanistas took over Nicaragua, all US aid

for addressing rural poverty. There is little

was suspended and an embargo was placed

coordination among institutions, which

on the trade between Nicaragua and the US.

have weak formulation and implementation capacity. No emphasis has been placed on

Institutional Reform (WorldBank, 2014)

defining policies and programs that are cost-

• To implement the government’s

effective while also benefiting poor farmers,

education strategy and to improve the

such as agricultural research, training and

quality and increase the internal efficiency

extension services.

of primary education, more resources are needed at this level. To this end, the

• Although many programs exist, there

generous subsidization of higher education

is a lack of viable financing schemes for

must stop. Improving targeting of pre-

small and medium- size farmers, and many

primary and secondary education resources

programs use credit as a means to transfer a

is also needed. Because the purpose of

subsidy or social assistance.

publicly financed pre-primary programs is to compensate children from disadvantaged

• Although Nicaraguan basic grains can

backgrounds, they should be exclusively

compete effectively at the regional level,

targeted to the extreme poor. In the case

small producers are unable to benefit

of secondary education, where the poverty

because of the high costs of information,

assessment found that public spending is

poor rural infrastructure (particularly rural

also regressive, there is ample room for cost

roads), the high costs of transportation, and

recovery. In the health sector, increasing

non-tariff barriers, such as complicated and

the access of the poor will require further

discretionary export requirements.

reallocating public expenditures toward primary health care and increasing costrecovery from the non-poor who were found to be major users of public health services. There is ample room for cost recovery, particularly in urban areas. • Apart from macroeconomic fragility, political instability, and an overvalued real exchange rate in competitiveness terms, the poverty assessment found that the recovery of the agricultural sector has been slow due to several sector-specific constraints:

APPENDIX 6

BUSINESS MODEL BAMBÚBUENO INTRODUCTION

In El Rama, the Bambú Social foundation

Bambú Social is a foundation with the

has set up a sustainable construction course,

mission to solve the housing problem in

together with the local university and the

Nicaragua by sharing knowledge about

municipality, to create a sustainable and

use of local resources for sustainable and

dignified housing alternative. This building

affordable housing with the local students

method can be practiced in a completely

and craftsmen and stimulate the social

local manner, with the integration of a

acceptance of bamboo as a standard

decentralized, low-tech, natural water

construction material.

purification and storage system in order to provide clean drinking water for the

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in

inhabitants of the house. In 2014 a model

Central America. There is a great shortage

house was constructed, which forms

of housing and the existing houses have

the base for the design of an affordable

many qualitative shortcomings. Building

social house and is a great example of the

techniques used are often influenced by

possibilities of bamboo. Bambú Social

the modern, first world architecture and

also made the construction manual ‘Un

not adapted to the local environment

manual de construcción sostenible’, which

and subtropical climate. The construction

explains the entire process with step by

materials used in El Rama, for example,

step drawings. The model house has been

create a warm and humid interior and are

donated to the local university and currently

produced with processes that pollute the

functions as a library.

natural environment. The use of wood could be a great danger for the local rainforest. In

Starting november 2015, team Bambú

addition, the local population dependends

Social will contribute to the project and

on unreliable systems for building, electricity,

travel to El Rama. Based on the knowledge

clean drinking water and food.

and experience of the past two years we’ll investigate ways to improve the design of a social bamboo house. Our aim is to get one step closer to an affordable, easy-to-build house of good quality that is adaptable to the various needs of the residents of Nicaragua. We will evaluate and analyze the work done by the previous group and write a report on the current state of the model house and the social acceptance of the model house as well as bamboo in general.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

The first two stages both result in a report.

the bamboo elements that are needed for

Based on those reports we will conclude

the construction of a bamboo house.

what the enablers and the barries are and

This prefab company, named BambúBueno,

which aspects/components of the design of

is an important factor in achieving the

a social bamboo house could be improved.

mission of Bambú Social and making a

By making multiple design options and

sustainable, affordable and comfortable

constructing and testing them we hope to

house accesible for all citizens of Nicaragua.

improve a part of the design.

A development boost like this will affect the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nicaragua, and strong evidence was found on the influence of GDP on the infrastructure-stock in a society (Canning and Pedroni, 1999). This in turn will lead to further improvements in living standards in general, and to further increases in economic growth (Barro and Sala-i-Martin, 2004). In this way a vicious cycle will be put in motion.

As explained earlier, the Bambú Social

To reach these goals, BambúBueno

foundation is working on a construction

should meet the definition of a

manual for an affordable social house. The

sustainable enterprise, in a social as well

design for this social house is still being

as in an ecological way. How sustainable

improved and, if our hypothesis is correct,

entrepreneurship can be defined, and

one of these improvements will be the

how it differs from development aid

possibility of prefabricating the construction

or the old colonial relationships with

elements. In that case, the manual will

developing countries is explained by the

explain step by step how to connect the

book Entrepreneurship, Innovation and

prefabricated elements and build the social

Sustainability: “The colonial relationship

house.

focused on financial goals, the development aid relationship focused on social

By pursuing the objectives of Bambú Social,

and/or ecological goals. Sustainable

a chain of entrepreneurship and employment

entrepreneurship tries to combine the

opportunities will be triggered. The demand

strengths of both the 8 colonial and the

for bamboo plantations, bamboo treatment

development aid relationship, aiming to

companies, transport, the production of

balance financial, social and ecological

prefab bamboo elements and bamboo-

goals, therewith creating a viable alternative

house constructors will increase. This

for both” (Wagner, 2012). This definition

business plan is written for one link in that

gives a global idea of the mission of a

chain; a small, local company that produces

sustainable enterprise, what can help

during the formation of the business

range of possible ratios” (Seelos, 2004).

plan. Besides the definition of sustainable

This entrepreneurial approach towards

entrepreneurship, it is important to

development problems is very interesting

know what makes a sustainable or social

for BambúBueno but also for the Bambú

entrepreneur. Gregory Dees explains the

Social foundation, because it gives a good

social entrepreneur as follows: “Social

idea of how they can implement their good

entrepreneurs play the role of change agents

intentions in a feasible way.

in the social sector, by adopting a mission

to create and sustain social value (not just

Another supporter of this entrepreneurial

private value), recognizing and relentlessly

approach is William Easterly who states in

pursuing new opportunities to serve that

his book The white man’s burden (2006)

mission, engaging in a process of continuous

that the last decades have shown that

innovation, adaptation, and learning”

the governmental and philanthropic aid

(Dees, 1998). Gregory Dees also explains

programs are less effective as expected.

that a social/sustainable entrepreneurial

It has been revealed that the major social

approach to social and developing problems

sector institutions are often inefficient,

can be a highly effective solution because

unresponsive and ineffective. Instead he

it combines development aid with the

promotes a bottom-up approach that tries

possibility of financial profit. This idea

to offer a solution through entrepreneurship.

is confirmed by Christian Seelosa who

By keeping this bottom-up approach in

states that “social entrepreneurship is a

mind, we believe that BambúBueno can

structure that allows individuals to strike

have a great impact on the developing

their own balance between the desire to

problems in Nicaragua. While writing this

make a social contribution and the personal

business model some assumptions were

need to capture an economic return

made. All these assumptions are based on

from professional activity, across a wide

experience of the Bambú Social foundation and our local contacts in El Rama. These are mentioned in the references.

THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS This Business model canvas is based on The Startup Owners Manual by Steve Blank (2004). This manual explains the theory behind the canvas and gives examples of how it can be filled in. The Business model canvas for BambúBueno is added at the next page, and forms a summary of the business

Construction

Maintanance

Bamboo treaters

Transport company

Personal assistance Professional assistance (bamboo community)

Prefab elements Construction service Maintenance service

CO2 emission (transport)

Treatment chemicals

Jealousy of competitors

Less deforestation, less soil

erosion, less use of harmful

Employment, education, awareness, safety, health

materials, more CO2 absorbtion

ECOLOGICAL REVENUES

(maintenance)

Construction service

architects or contracters

Professionals

social housing project

who want to set up a

foundations

Government/

sustainable house

who want to build/buy a

Individuals

CUSTOMER SEGMENTS

SOCIAL REVENUES

Repair service

Product sales

REVENUE STREAM (FINANCIAL)

Handcraft courses

Newspaper articles

marketing

Word to mouth

Construction manual

CHANNELS

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

VALUE PROPOSITIONS

Fixed costs (rest, water)

ECOLOGICAL COSTS

Marketing costs

Transportation costs

Production costs

SOCIAL COSTS

Workers (labour costs)

Marketeers

Employees

Transportation

Finance

Equipment

Workshop

Treated bamboo

Material costs

COST STRUCTURE (FINANCIAL)

Micro Finance agency

University of Managua

KEY RESOURCES

Production

Bamboo farmers

Construction company

KEY ACTIVITIES

KEY PARTNERSHIPS

PROJECTPLAN BAMBĂ&#x161; SOCIAL 2.0

model. In the next chapter the different

have adequate housing, we can conclude

blocks of the canvas are explained.

that this is a segment of customers for who almost no other affordable products of good quality are produced. This phenomena is

BUSINESS MODEL BLOCKS

very well described the book The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid (Hart, 2002).

1. CUSTOMER SEGMENTS

This book explains that almost all the wealth

Nicaragua has a serious need for houses.

of the world is owned by a small elite group

Over the past decades, Nicaragua has been

on which almost all product producers are

hit by devastating events; not only politically,

focused. However, there also is a group of 4

by the dictatorship and revolts against the

billion people who make less than $1,500 a

Somoza family, but also economical and

year, which is ignored very often by product

environmental. This has left the nation in a

producers. So when you come up with an

precarious development position. 78% of the

affordable product that fulfils the needs of

people live in substandard homes or do not

this ‘poorer’ costumer group, you reach a

have adequate housing. BambúBueno serves

huge market with lots of possibilities. This

these people of Nicaragua by offering them

is exactly the plan for BambúBueno, and

an affordable, easy-to-build and comfortable

with the help of microfinance companies,

alternative for their current home.

BambúBueno can even reach a bigger group

The first and most important customer

of people.

segment is formed by individuals who are in need of a (new) house. Their income is very low and they do not have access to a banking account and a loan or mortgage. The average income of this costumer segment is around the $3000 a year. Since building your own house keeps the price down, most of them have basic construction knowledge. On the other hand, some of them will need help with assembling the

Apart from the individuals, BambúBueno

prefab elements.

works with a customer group that we call the professionals. These are mainly architects

An often heard criticism is that the proposed

and contracters who are convinced that

customer segment of BambúBueno is

social housing can be cheaper and more

too poor which makes the business not

sustainable by using bamboo as main

feasible. However, this does not make it

construction material. They have a lot of

impossible to create a huge demand for

knowledge about constructing, also on

the offered products. In fact, since 78%

a bigger scale. They are hired by bigger

of the inhabitants of Nicaragua does not

housing companies, foundations or

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

governments who do big investments and

Nicaragua, the company has three products

provide the people from entire villages in

which form the three value propositions of

social homes. Because the quality of the

the business model.

product will not only attract the poorest, these professionals can also work for

1. Prefab bamboo elements - Customers

individuals with a larger budget, who prefer

can buy these prefab elements and build

to outsource the construction of a new

their own house according to the manual.

house.

Calculations of the Bambú Social foundation show that the price of a standard wall element will be around the $800. This product is meant both for the families as for the professional contractors and architects: - Individuals can buy bamboo elements and get construction manual, with which they can build their own house. The need of housing is then solved on individual level. Microfinance or paying in terms, could make this product more accessible.

2. VALUE PROPOSITIONS

- Professionals can buy the construction

To be able to tackle the housing problem

elements and build the (social) houses for

in Nicaragua, BambúBueno has to look

their clients, in order to provide the housing

for workaround, improvise solutions and

need in Nicaragua with the involvement

find ways to incorporate those into the

of professional construction workers.

offerings it creates. This process can be

Cooperation between these professionals

described as design thinking which involves:

and BambúBueno is important to scale up

“Designers who consider what we call the

the project. Yet the professionals are the

edges, the places where extreme people

customers because of their need of prefab

live differently, think differently and consume

construction elements.

differently” (Brown, 2010). Design thinking

2. Building service - The individual

can be the first step to social innovation

customer segment can also choose to let

and by approaching the housing problem

their house be constructed. If they do not

in Nicaragua from a designers point of view, BambúBueno can make a major progress. So, in order to make a difference BambúBueno has to come up with a value propositions that meet the needs of the costumers, while taking into account the cultural, social and infrastructural context. To serve the two costumer groups of

have construction knowledge the prefab bamboo company can provide them with a

To reach the individual segment, word of

building service. Professional construction

mouth will be the most effective publicity

workers usually don’t provide individual

for the company. Not only is this a free way

constructions, therefore this building service

of marketing, it also gives the customers the

of the prefab bamboo company is meant for

most trustworthy information. To push this it

the individuals.

is possible to invite possible customers over to a model of the house or the workshop so

3. Maintenance service - This service

they can be introduced to the product.

is mostly meant for the individuals who

have built their house themselves. These

Also the built houses will attract a lot of

customers aren’t professional, and if errors

attention, since the use of bamboo is

occur after the house has been built, the

relatively unknown (we call this trendsetter

prefab company could be hired by this

marketing). The more houses are built, the

customer group to do maintenance of the

faster the demand will increase. Articles in

house. If they built their house with help of

the local and national newspapers will also

the building service BambúBueno can give a

be a reliable channel with a long reach.

quality assurance and at for a given amount of years, the maintenance service will be

A professional portfolio website gives the

free. This will enhance the credibility of the

opportunity to expand the reach of the word

product and increase the demand of the

to mouth- and trendsetter marketing. The

customers.

customers that have access to a computer have the chance to evaluate the product by

3. CHANNELS

listing finished houses on the website or post

Because bamboo is a relatively new

reviewson the product.

construction material in Nicaragua, BambúBueno has the task to raise awareness

Maintaining a positive relation with the

among the people of El Rama about the

customers ensures positive reviews and

benefits of constructing with bamboo.

is beneficial for the images and publicity

BambúBueno needs several channels in

of the company. This is why an after

order to reach the customers.

sales ‘department’ had to keep in touch with finished projects. By combining this department with a maintenance service, BambúBueno can maintain a positive relation with the costumers. The professional customers require some different channels than the individual customers. For them, reports and articles in journals and professional trade magazines

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

adapt orcreate new bamboo elements. If more companies get involved and if the prefab bamboo construction method is implemented in multiple municipalities, a bamboo community can arise where topics about bamboo as a construction material are discussed. In this community the key partners will be involved. are an important channel. Also

workshops

5. REVENUE STREAMS

and activities and the distribution of the

The financial revenues of Bambú Bueno will

construction manual to architects and

mainly exist of the sales of the prefabricated

contractors will have a positive influence.

bamboo construction elements. The price

Cooperation agreements with special prices

is established by the variable costs and the

for professionals and large orders will attract

fixed costs and the relevance of the piece.

attention for BambúBueno.

The costs of the resources should at least be covered. Therefore is it beneficial for the

4. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

company to make as many elements of the

Both the individual and professional

same sort as possible.

customer segment require a personal and long-term relationship with BambúBueno.

Beside the standard prefab elements that

This means personal assistance is important.

the company will produce, they will also

This is the main reason that BambúBueo

produce custom elements meant for the

provides a maintenance service. Individuals

designs of the architects and contractors.

should always have the possibility to ask

The bigger the order, the cheaper each

BambúBueno for help when they have

element. This stimulates the contractors to

problems with their house. The maintenance

construct as many as possible at once.

service must always be ready to visit the customer or help him with his problems. For

From individual customers there’s also the

the professionals it is important to maintain

revenue as a result of the maintenance

a personal and long-term relationship

service and the building service. This can be

because they are big current and future

sold for a permanent price dependent on

customers. Furthermore, the professionals

the average working hours needed.

have a lot of influence on the image and publicity of BambúBueno, therefore it

6. SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL REVENUES

is important to maintain a personal and

Setting up the BambúBueno business it is

positive relationship. When an architect

very important to take the idea of shared

comes up with a new model BambúBueno

value into account, as explained by Porter

can initiate partnership and potentially

and Kramer. According to them, shard value

is a solution for the recent increase of social,

pollution rate will decrease. Apart from that,

environmental and economic problems that

bamboo has a high CO2 absorbtion level so

business cause for their environment. In their

by increasing the demand for bamboo, more

paper they suggest to address this problem

and more CO2 will be absorbed. Also the

as follows: “The solution lies in the principle

use of bamboo will prevent deforestation

of shared value, which involves creating

of the rainforest, because bamboo is an

economic value in a way that also creates

alternative for hardwood. On top of that, the

value for society by addressing its needs

bamboo roots work against soil erosion and

and challenges. Businesses must reconnect

in contrast to the centuries-old rainforest,

company success with social progress.”

bamboo won’t die after beïng cut down.

(Porter, 2011) This quote is a perfect explanation for the goals of BambúBueno and the Bambú Social foundation. The business they propose leads to many social and ecological revenues which can have a major impact of social and ecological

progress. The most important social revenue is the creation of awareness among the local people about the benefits of constructing

7. KEY RESOURCES

with bamboo. Also BambúBueno will create

In order to conduct the key activities,

more employment for the people of El

BambúBueno needs several key resources.

Rama. Not only will the people gain more

The following list sums up these required

salary, they will also be educated. They

resources.

will learn about construction mechanics, safety and sustainability (taking care of the

1. Treated Bamboo: This is the main

environment). Because a high safety level is

construction material and it is needed

maintained, health among the employees

to produce the prefab elements and to

can be assured. Educating them about the

maintain the social houses already build.

environment should also teach them how to

2. Workshop: BambúBueno needs a place

handle waste how to reuse materials, and

where they can produce the elements.

they will pass it on to their families.

3. Equipment: Tools and other equipment are needed for the production of the

As mentioned above, by using bamboo as

elements.

main construction material, awareness about

4. Finance: In order to start the business

the environment is created. Slowly but surely

there needs to be a start capital with

BambúBueno will create a new construction-

which the business can make the needed

culture and use of materials that have high

investments.

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

5. Transportation: BambúBueno needs

1. Bamboo farmers and treaters: The

a truck to transport the elements to the

bamboo farmers produce and cut the

costumer or to visit the costumer for the

bamboo. After the harvesting the bamboo is

maintenance of the house.

treated to give the bamboo more durability

6. Employees: BambúBueno needs several

and resistance against the weather and

skilled employees who are experts in

bacteria. This treatment can be done by

producing these elements. These employees

the farmers or there could be another party

should also be able to do maintenance work

involved that takes care of the treatment.

at the costumers place. They first have to

After the treatment the bamboo needs to

get educated, and will later on be able to

dry for several months. The drying process

educate others.

gives the bamboo stems more strength and

7. Marketeers: BambúBueno needs a

durability. The products are treated and

marketing strategy. This can help them with

dried bamboo stems, ready for production.

the promotion on their product and reach

2. University of Managua: The University

out to potential customers. This tasks also

of Managua is an important partner for the

includes keeping the bamboo community

company. The students can do research

running.

on bamboo as a building material and on the production process of bamboo. This

8. KEY ACTIVITIES

research helps to improve the production

The main activity of the proposed business is

process of the company as well as the quality

the production of prefab bamboo elements.

of the product. Furthermore, by involving

With these elements a social house can be

young students, the company can ensure the

built, with help of the construction manual.

continuation by delivering new designs. They

Customers can buy these prefab elements

could also teach apprentices or students

from BambúBueno and build their own

the trades of the company after which they

house with use of the manual, which comes

can work for the business or start their own.

with the elements. However, customers can

Both ways support the use of bamboo. As

also ask BambúBueno to build the house

mentioned before, after a while a community

for them; this leads us to the second key

will be created. This community will be the

activity; the construction of the houses. The

bamboo platform in Nicaragua. For students

third key activity is the maintenance of the

this forms a platform through which material

built houses. Owners of the house can call or

characteristics and designs are spread.

visit the workplace if reparations are needed.

9. KEY PARTNERSHIPS The key partners provide BambúBueno from the key resources needed for the key activities. The following list shows these key partners and their value.

3. Transport Company: The transport

10. COST STRUCTURE

company has to make sure that the bamboo

When starting the company, some

is transported from theplantation to the

investments have to be made. When starting

company in time and safe. By hiring a third

BambúBueno, the most substantial costs are

party to take care of the transportation,

the workshop and the machinery. These are

BambúBueno and the bamboo farmers

two big investments and the business will

can focus on their main activities. For

need a start capital to finance them. It is also

BambúBueno it is a good choice to

possible to implement this business model

outsource the transportation so they do not

in an existing workshop, in that case the

have to worry about to main side activities.

investment costs can be reduced.

4. Construction company: To provide the

housing need in Nicaragua on a bigger

While running BambúBueno there are

scale, also al collaboration with professional

several costs that need to be taken into

construction workers can be very usefull.

account.

5. Micro finance Company: A big part of the

• Fixed production costs: wages, machinery

population of Nicaragua lives on a minimum

• Variable production costs: production,

income, for these people it is hard to pay for

electricity, water, petrol, transport

their house. Microfinance could offer these

• Raw materials: treated bamboo

people a solution by enabling them to pay

• Rent: Bank loans

in installments. To be able to focus on their

• Marketing costs: articles in magazines/

own specialization, it is not a good idea

journals, discount for professionals,

for BambúBueno to offer the microfinance

promotion, community costs

themselves. Instead they could partner with

• Investments: quality and efficiency

a micro financer. By involving a partner who

improvement

is specialized in microfinance, BambúBueno does not have to deal with the risks but can

11. ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL COSTS

focus on their prime activities instead. A

These costs can be described as the

microfinance organization is a very important

negative impact that BambúBueno has

partner because it increases the sales market

on the environment and the ecosystem.

and the accessibility of good housing

The cause of these costs is, unfortunately,

drastically.

the production and transport of bamboo elements, but also the impact of the raw materials on the environment is taken into account. The following lists sums up all the ecological costs that result from the production of the elements, with a distinction between direct and in-direct costs. • CO2 emission by transport and production

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0

• The chemical treatment of the bamboo

and the whole idea of building with bamboo

• Ecological production costs like,

can spread around the country and grow

electricity, water, heat

rapidly.

As the list shows, there are a few ecological

DISCUSSION

costs that result from the production and

By working out this business plan we

construction of a bamboo house. However,

have developed a better understanding

when comparing these ecological costs

of social entrepreneurship in general but

to the ecological costs produced by the

also a better understanding of the specific

construction of the most common house in

situation in Nicaragua. We have learned

Nicaragua (concrete blocks with aluminum

that starting up a business requires a lot of

roof sheets), we can conclude that the

planning and research but at the same time

costs are significantly reduced. Therefore

a lot of flexibility. The lean start-up theory

we can say that even though there are

has thought us that it is important to be

some ecological costs, the bamboo social

able to pivot your business plan around in

house is environmental friendlier as most

order to succeed. This could be difficult for

of the current houses in Nicaragua and on

a social entrepreneur because this means

ecological costs a big improvement. Also

that you must be able to alter your mission

the ecological revenues, as describes earlier,

and maybe not follow your passion, but it is

largely outweigh the costs of the use of

important for the success and therefore also

bamboo as a construction material.

the impact of the project.

Apart from the ecological costs, it is

In Nicaragua we will evaluate this business

possible that the company creates some

plan and check if it is a realistic plan. We

social costs because it is a new player in the

will investigate if the partners that are

housing market, which can result in some

needed for BambúBueno are interested and

competition. This competition could be

if the quality of the needed infrastructure

seen as a positive result because it forces

is sufficient. Furthermore, we will check

the company and its competitors to keep

if there are people interested in starting

improving. However, this competition could

this BambúBueno company. Also practical

also turn into jealousy when the company

aspects will be investigated, like the local

takes more and more customers from the

salaries, the costs of the workshop, etc. After

competitors. This jealousy could increase

we have analyzed the plan we will write a

when BambúBueno promotes their products

report with our findings. We will share this

as better and eco friendlier and could result

report with BAMBÚ SOCIAL so they can

in negative publicity for the competitors. It

take it into account when they expand their

is recommended that the business involves

project.

local competitors instead of squeezing them out of the market. In this way, BambúBueno

The evaluation of this business is part of a

new methodology for launching companies,

there is a profitable future. The block about

called the “lean start-up”. This methodology

key partners gave us a lot of insight in the

was introduced by Steve Bank in his paper,

complexity of the project. It shows the

Why the lean start-up changes everything.

different partners that are needed for the

In summary, this new methodology can be

business to succeed. Because there are

explained as follows: “Instead of executing

many partners, there are many factors that

business plans, operating in stealth mode,

can disrupt the functioning of BambúBueno.

releasing fully functional prototype, young

Therefore, it is important for the business

ventures are testing hypotheses, gathering

to establish a good relationship with these

early and frequent customer feedback,

partners and make clear and transparent

and showing minimum viable products to

agreements.

prospects, This new process recognizes

The social costs of this business plan

that searching for a business model is

needs some further research because the

entirely different from executing against that

difference in culture makes it difficult to

model” (Blank, 2013). This early evaluation,

predict the reaction of the community on this

enables us to recognizes problems and

new business plan. It is important that we

flaws of BambúBueno, which gives us the

get a better definition of these social costs

opportunity to pivot the business around

by for instance interviewing or questioning

to a whole new value proposition for which

the locals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY • Barro, R.J., & Sala-i-Martin, X. (2004). Economic Growth. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. • Blank, S. (2004). The Startup Owners Manual. Stanford: School of Engineering U.C. Berkeley. • Blank, S. (2013). Why the lean start-up changes everything. Cambridge: Harved business review. • Brown, T. (2010). Design thinking for social innovation. Stanford: Stanford social innovation review. • Canning, D., & Pedroni, P. (1999). Infrastructure and long run economic growth. Consulting Assistance on Economic Reform II Discussion Paper, 57. • Dees, J.G. (1998). The Meaning of “Social Entrepreneurship”. Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership. • Easterly, W. (2006). The white man’s burden. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Hart, S. (2002). The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid. Philadelphia: Wharton School Publishing. • Porter, M.E. (2011). Creating Shared Value. Cambridge: Harved business review. • Seelosa, C. (2004). Social entrepreneurship: Creating new business models to serve the poor. Bloomington: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. • Wagner, M. (2012). Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing

PROJECTPLAN BAMBÚ SOCIAL 2.0