Environment & Poverty Times


06 2009


UNEP/GRID-Arendal


22 23


The small size of Chaitén allows for innovation in terms of sustainable urban planning and design.


restrictions and enabled thinking to focus on a settlement for the future. The potential for exploring new infrastructure paradigms was supported by the fact that Chaitén is located next to the six priority hotspots for geothermal generation in Chile, allowing the new town to reduce its current depen- dence on a 60-mile high-voltage line and a diesel plant.


The task force considered three key factors to direct its work. The first goal was to preserve the community and relief workers from natural risks (volcanic eruption, flooding, earthquakes), urban (fires, short-circuits and structural collapse) and health hazards (plague, infectious diseases and respiratory problems associated with exposure to silica from ashes). Secondly it sought to preserve, wherever possible, public and private pro- priety, particularly that of displaced families, taking into consideration tangible and intan- gible values such as their history, culture and traditions. Finally, it aimed to lay the basis for the sustainable future development of the town and the region, by maintaining a simultaneous vision of emergency and long-term planning, understanding the process as the transition from catastrophe to opportunity.


Four phases of the Chaitén task force The first phase involved collecting all avail- able social and territorial data for a compre-


hensive GIS database, in order to analyse the situation and elaborate a development vision. Chaitén must be rebuilt or relocated as a city of the future, planned for the next 50 years and not simply as a replica of the existing town. It should be a thriving town, with new economic activities that could add value to the region, starting with the reconstruction process as the main driving force. It should also be exemplary for its environmental, carbon-neutral develop- ment, with a reduced ecological footprint, self-sufficiency and lower dependence on mainland Chile. It could become a prime international tourist destination, thanks to its landscape, white-water rivers, fly fishing, rich culture and the volcano itself. In short it had the potential to become a model of community participation and cohesion, working and enduring the disaster to ar- ticulate the Chaiteninos’ own vision and history of colonization and dialogue with natural forces, rooted in an understanding of the restrictions and opportunities inher- ent in the events that drew attention to this remote land.


The second phase assessed the viability of reconstruction on the original site and car- ried out preliminary analysis of potential sites for relocation. Social and economic cost-benefit analysis of the potential for reconstruction at the original location dem- onstrated that the risks and costs involved


were higher than for other comparable locations. Following the recommendation for relocation, the specialists from the engineering firm Arup, which had joined the task force, carried out their Sustainable Projects Appraisal Routine (SPeAR®), and developed a new methodology (MeAL®) enabling the group objectively to assess and compare five different relocation sce- narios from a cost-benefit standpoint. The scenarios were presented to a special minis- terial committee that reduced the potential scenarios to two alternatives.


The third phase continued with advanced evaluation of the two alternative sites for relocation, development of a design master plan and recommendations for implementa- tion. Following the results of this analysis, and other studies by governmental agencies, the Minister of the Interior announced in February 2009 the relocation of Chaitén to Santa Barbara, 10 kilometres north of Chai- tén at a site protected from the volcano.


The fourth and final phase involved pre- senting the work to the general public, with several meetings with the displaced commu- nities, giving the Chaiteninos an opportunity to understand and take part in the decision making process.


When the task force completed its work in April 2009, the Ministry of Housing and


Urbanism, and the Regional Government, took over the planning and construction process, developing a series of studies and actions to secure the rebirth of Chaitén as a competitive, sustainable and thriving gateway to Patagonia. Studies for a new port and construction of a new airfield in Santa Barbara are underway. Last June the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, visited Santa Barbara and officially opened Chaitén’s new temporary municipal and police facilities. It is expected that at least a third of the original Chaiteninos will have returned to their homeland by 2011. There is still uncertainty on how much of the vision and opportunities detected by the task force can be implemented, but the groundwork has been done for the development of a national strategy for post-disaster planning. An evaluation of the socio-economic losses and damages, could allow not only Chaitén but also many other cities confronted with a disaster to rise from the ashes.


About the author: Pablo Allard (PhD) is an Architect and Urban Designer focused on integra- tive design of urban infrastructure in sustainable communities, with emphasis on housing, sprawl and urban renovation. Since 2005 he holds the position as Executive Director of the “Cities Observatory” www.ocuc.cl at the Universidad Católica de Chile Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urban Studies.


The Punakha Hospital, Bhutan By Chris Butters


The Punakha Hospital in Bhutan exemplifies cultural sustainability. Sensitivity to local tradition is integrated in an efficient and economical project. Traditional layout and decoration was emphasized as it has both religious and cultural significance in this Buddhist culture.


This hospital meets the medical needs of village people. It has 30 beds and services including a laboratory, pharmacy, X-ray, clinic and sections for indigenous medi- cines, hostel and administration; as well as staff housing. An extremely low cost of $240 per square metre was achieved.


Technologies and performance The accent is on passive design, improved traditional building practices, natural ventila- tion, low embodied energy, local materials and renewable energy (hydropower, wood stoves, a little solar water heating). The project uses primarily local materials, reducing transport and embodied energy. Climate emissions


are small due to use of natural materials and renewable energy. However, due to earthquake requirements, the main structure is reinforced concrete (cement is produced in Bhutan).


Heating and power are electrical since Bhu- tan produces hydropower. Some cooking is with wood, an abundant resource in Bhutan. There is an emergency diesel backup. But the main energy strategy was to reduce the demand side, by careful planning, climatic adaptation and appropriate construction. The hospital thus needs no air condition- ing, has good day lighting, simple ceiling fans, and uses about 40% less energy than comparable buildings.


Adapting to the local context Bhutan has a strong commitment to main- taining culture and environment, with the goal of careful and sustainable development. Their leaders have stated: Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. Traditional building with all its religious ceremonies and craftsman- ship is still in practice. The project sustains


indigenous architecture; not by pastiche, but by real understanding of and careful im- provements to the traditional architecture.


Punakha has a hot climate. The buildings are oriented east-west to minimise solar gain. Large roof overhangs, verandas and trees increase shade. A fountain in a flower garden provides coolness. The main building has a three storey high stairwell for natural ven- tilation. All rooms and corridors have cross ventilation and heavy building materials to keep the building cool.


Micro-concrete roof tiles made on site from local materials were an energy and cost effec- tive solution instead of imported galvanised iron roof sheets. The roof trusses used 50% less timber than the traditional roofs. Paints are traditional earth and plant-based pig- ments. Synthetic materials were avoided, reducing climate emissions and increasing use of local, natural resources.


The architect wished to use earth building, since it is traditional in Bhutan, rather than


imported and energy-consuming bricks. But at that time earth construction, which is enjoying renewed interest was still seen as “primitive” and was not accepted. This shows how it takes time to introduce new concepts of environmental building. The hospital was described by international health experts as the most successful in the country, and received a commendation in the international Ralph Erskine awards in 2000. It has become a model for other hospitals in Bhutan – a sure mark of appropriate design – and has been extended in several phases since its completion in 1997.


Ecology, economy and community are the three pillars of sustainability. Whilst this project has many interesting ecological features, it is one of the few to place great emphasis on the cultural and community part of sustainability – a reminder to energy and other specialists that all three aspects are equally important.


About the author: Chris Butters is an architect and consultant for the GAIA group in Norway.


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