Building to resist the effect of the wind, v. 5 : housing in extreme winds, socio-economic and architectural considerations

THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING THIS INFORMATION IS TO COMPLEMENT THE TECHNICAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL BY IDENTIFYING CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS THAT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD IF RECOMMENDED PRACTICES ARE TO BE ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED. TYPICAL SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, JAMAICA, AND BANGLADESH ARE IDENTIFIED. THOSE INCLUDE STRONG RESPECT FOR TRADITIONAL MATERIALS AND METHODS OF HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, AND SUSPICION OF INNOVATIVE FORMS AND APPROACHES. A RISING PROPORTION OF URBAN POOR LIVE IN SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS, AND A RISING RATIO OF INHABITANTS HAVE INCOMES AT A LEVEL WHERE THEY CANNOT AFFORD HOUSING OF ANY KIND. THE SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF LAND IS STRESSED. REVIEWED IS THE SITES AND SERVICES CONCEPT, WHEREBY LOW-INCOME PERSONS ARE PROVIDED A SITE EQUIPPED WITH BASIC UTILITIES BUT MUST ERECT AND MAINTAIN A HOUSE UPON IT. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE CONCERNING PLACEMENT OF BUILDINGS TO EXPLOIT TERRAIN, SOUND PRACTICES IN THE CONFIGURATIONS OF MAIN ELEMENTS OF A HOUSE, AND USE OF CHEAP, STRONG, AND LOCALLY AVAILABLE MATERIALS.