Project with purpose
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The MHP was initiated through SPARC (local NGO) in 2010, but it has a history, which began in 1990 in a village development project (Thatta Kedona) in the district of Okara (Gogera) in southern Punjab.
The mud construction has a long tradition (Harappa) in this region and it is still used extensively in the rural areas. However it has not developed further due to the influences of the city culture. Double storeyed mud constructions are however found very seldom. This although mud housing has many positive-construction biological properties and it is much more energy efficient than constructions of baked bricks and steel concrete.
Purpose of the Project
Purpose of the MHP is to emphasize the usefulness and importance of mud construction in city development.
Usefulness
An attempt is being made in cooperation with architecture students of PU, COMSATS, BNU, NCA and a constructor (Thekedar) from Harappa-Museum to develop solutions on the basis of a traditional mud hut, which would ultimately lead to a change in urban development strategies.
Implementation
As a start, construction was started at the premises of the Peersada Cultural Complex; the mud construction serves as accomodation for the handicraft workers.
In cooperation with SPARC and the DGFK (german NGO's), support through the SES (Senior Expert Service) in Bonn and the German embassy in Islamabad was obtained.
Current Importance
The MHP has gained additional importance due to the consequences of the recent floodings in Pakistan.
Short term aims
Help is necessary. Financial means are to be used effectively, local solutions are to be found, the daily requirements (e.g. hot water, cooking, etc.) are to be considered. Possibilities of using Appropriate Technology are to be explored.
Long term aims
The MHP should be understood as the initial flame and its aim to urgently establish a facility for experimental construction, which requires availability of suitable piece of land.
For various reasons, the implementation has to done in steps. The first steps have been taken.
Labels: Mud, Mud Housing
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:01 AM,
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SPARC Initiative in Rural Areas
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
SPARC has laid down foundation of another beautiful tradition for preservation of special compounds in rural areas. The functional mud houses will be selected, earmarked and Mud House Owners in Rural Area (MORA) will be paid rupees 10, 000.00 per house per year for continuous maintenance (3-4 times repair of the mud house in a year) of the compound in their own mud homes. Mud houses must be open for visitors and students for physical measurements ( of temperature). This year three mud houses have been selected and earmarked. in village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka.The owners will be paid the award amount by Lahore based NGO SPARC at the end of the year (April next year).
MORA will go a long way in preservation of rural cultural and traditional heritage as well as the functional mud houses.
Labels: Mud Housing
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:10 PM,
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