Last week, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Haiti’s worst in two centuries, struck 15 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The Red Cross says 40-50,000 are feared dead, and more than three million residents have been affected. Tens of thousands of buildings have been destroyed. While immediate rescue efforts are a priority, Haiti’s government will require short-term relief housing and long-term building reconstruction aid for Haiti’s buildings, playgrounds, and public spaces.
The New York Times recently reported that collapsing buildings have caused much of the loss of life. “Engineers and architects who have worked in or visited Haiti say that substandard design, inadequate materials and shoddy construction practices likely contributed to the collapse of many buildings.” Cameron Sinclair, executive director of Architecture for Humanity, was quoted: “In Haiti, most if not all of the buildings have major engineering flaws.”
Alan Dooley, a Nashville architect who designed a local medical clinic, said most houses and other structures were built out of poured concrete or block mixed with sand, which “resulted in a structurally weaker material.” Many local builders “cut corners” due to the high cost of materials. Additionally, timber isn’t widely available for housing construction due to deforestation. Haiti has among the lowest per-capita incomes in the world.
A few organizations are calling for landscape architects, architects, and urban planners to support redevelopment efforts:
Architecture for Humanity: “We will soon start exploring specific opportunities for rebuilding projects in cooperation with our partners on the ground. In the meantime, we have launched a fundraising appeal to support this long term reconstruction effort. In the first four days we’ve raised over $45,000 in individual giving and have pledges from a number of companies. However, more resources are still necessary for us to have a strong and lasting impact.” Learn more and donate.
Additionally, dedicated, French-speaking volunteers interested in volunteering on the ground are encouraged to sign-up now. Architecture for Humanity is creating a ”comprehensive, two- to four-year plan (including transitional, temporary shelter, as well as permanent construction) for the devastated nation that begins with a site visit in approximately three week’s time,” writes Interior Design.
Article 25: “With much of the death caused by the collapse of buildings, the recovery process is an opportunity to build back better: built environment skills should play a crucial role in safe guarding lives by designing seismically resistant buildings that reduce the risk of death in future disasters. Carefully designed and executed reconstruction of safer structures will offer some security to those that have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the latest tragedy to befall Haiti.” Learn more and donate.
American Institute of Architects (AIA): “We’ve been in contact with our colleagues at the U.S. Green Building Council and will be sending a joint letter to United Nations Envoy to Haiti Former President Bill Clinton offering our profession’s technical and professional expertise when the initiative begins focusing on rebuilding. Additionally, we are discussing ideas with Architecture for Humanity on how architects can provide on-the-ground design guidance in Haiti so local citizens can seek qualified counsel as they rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives.” AIA is encouraging donations through a range of organizations, including Architecture for Humanity.
Emergency Architects (Australia): “The needs are enormous and very urgent. We appeal for your donations for this emergency to a total of AUD 300 000 to help the thousands of victims without shelter.” Learn more and donate.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): “USGBC and its members are uniquely positioned to help in the rebuilding of the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure demolished in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi traveled to Haiti last spring with UN Special Envoy to Haiti President Bill Clinton and a small UN working group, and they have begun developing plans that will jumpstart the rebuilding effort. We’ve also offered to work with our members to develop solutions informed by our work in New Orleans and Greensburg in the wake of the natural disasters that devastated those communities.” USGBC is encouraging donations through the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund.
The New York Times writes about a range of smaller organizations that are developing building reconstruction services and plans as well. Developing new earthquake-resistant housing is a focus area.
Google has aggregated a list of organizations, including UNICEF, CARE, and Doctors without Borders, that are seeking immediate donations for on-going relief.
Image credit: The New York Times
