buildings_settlementAfter the Tsunami – Sustainable Building

          Guidelines for South-East Asia

Development of strategy, concept, and formulation of the manual “Guidelines for Sustainable Reconstruction in Tsunami Affected Areas” for project managers to reduce natural disaster risks, mandated by UNEP.

Country:

Tsunami affected countries in South-East Asia

Project Period:

2007

Services Provided:

Knowledge Sharing, Networking, Training & Capacity Development

Name of Staff involved & functions performed:

Project Manager: Claudia Schneider

Contributors: Daniel Schwitter, Roger Schmid, Jürg Christen, Jonathan Hecke

Name of Client:

UNEP – United Nations Environmental Programme

Name of Partner Organisation(s):

UNEP Post Conflict & Disaster Management Branch

UNEP Division of Technology, Industry & Economics

Description of the Project:

UNEP commissioned Skat to prepare a manual on sustainable reconstruction, in particular, in the context of Tsunamis and other natural disasters. The manual provides guidance in identifying conceptually sound, robust and practical reconstruction solutions that minimise  environmental impact. The guidelines cover various aspects of sustainable reconstruction, including planning, design, materials, implementation, and maintenance.

In the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster, numerous agencies have responded by reconstructing houses and infrastructure. Project managers, however, are often overwhelmed not only by the volume of required activities but also by the extent of challenges related to reconstruction. One of the challenges is to ensure conceptually sound, robust and practical reconstruction solutions that will minimise  environmental impact. This manual addresses that challenge by providing project managers with guidance in various aspects of sustainable reconstruction, including planning, design, materials, implementation, and maintenance. The manual includes the areas of adequate site selection, construction  technologies and their social acceptance, cost-effectiveness and affordability of housing, technical infrastructure and access to information.