Insufficient preventive
programs and, in general, increasing vulnerabilities in even larger poor populations
suggest that disasters are far from over for the Third World. In comparison
with previous models, in this approach the project strategy is developed before
a disaster occurs. An international cooperation approach permits authorities
to interact with external institutions in order to translate pre-disaster
research in a culturally acceptable policy.
Authorities are responsible
for linking decision-makers with the private sector, international aid agencies
and research groups.
Legislation in land distribution,
urban codes, tax policies, etc., accompanied by exchange of research knowledge
and of resources is targeted to link external and local initiatives (mixed
participation). International aid is to be coordinated with local projects
in order to optimize donor's help. International aid in the form of non-monetary
resources and the participation of intermediate NGOs are proposed to reduce
the frequent inefficiencies of the public sector.
A
strategy that lies in between the extreme approaches is expected to permit the
apportionment of the external technologies and industrialization. Research will
also concentrate on the evaluation of the potentials of contribution of self-help
in each particular case.
Unlike
previous strategies, this approach considers multiple variables like emergency
protection, long-term construction, subsequent additions, and adaptations for
different groups (with different needs) like homeowners, apartment owners, land
owners, house tenants, apartment tenants, land tenants, etc.
Intermediate
participants (NGOs) coordinate available resources. Rather than considering
housing as a process or as a product (as in former approaches), in this strategy
housing is an evolution process that requires not only residential units but
also public infrastructure and community services. Habitat is considered here
as a process that occurs as much inside the units as in the public or semipublic
spaces.
Rather
than concentrating on standardization or individuality (as in former approaches)
this strategy suggests flexibility. A great deal of responsibility is transferred
to the community for the selection of solutions in a variety of options that
range from self-help to totally finished products. Also, the articulation of
industrialized and local resources is used in flexible designs that are disaster-resistant
as well as culturally-accepted.
In
this strategy, the 'house' is only one of the outputs offered to the community.
Information, education, community services, economic reactivation, employment
opportunities, etc. are examples of 'soft' outputs that need to be included
in the reconstruction program
