Community Spaces

The housing crunch and problems in India are affected greatly by socio-political factors as well as different socio-economic systems and rooted in the physical setting. The socio- economic factors reflect the role of community participation in the problem. The role of low-income groups in community participation for design of their livelihood systems and dwelling units is limited and restricted in the given paradigm of building rules and regulations. This has seen self-constructed dwelling systems by these disadvantaged groups or transforming dwelling units provided to them as a government initiative. The positive side of this ad hoc system is their self- capability to build and live. These squatters have a defined urban structure to themselves, a certain hierarchy of spaces and intangible, but important relationships between their dwelling units and open spaces.

It is of paramount importance that these intrinsic patterns of their living are traced and understood by professionals of the built environment. 

An effective method of solving this is to foster community participation from the dwellers at levels of design, execution and management which ensures a safer, sensitive and sustainable habitat for them.

Role of COSTFORD and Laurie Baker
The Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD) has pioneered the synthesis of sustainability and public participation with low-income groups since its inception in 1986. The soul and the thought process of the organization was helmed by founding architect Laurie Baker who understood that the success of such projects would lie in sensitive amalgamation of their patterns of living with appropriate technology. As he wrote, “Each area has evolved empirically over centuries, especially in ways of building to use local materials so that they remain structurally stable and withstand local climatic hazards. They have also coped with traditional, local, religious and social patterns of living.” Baker’s first project for COSTFORD at Karimadom illustrates these design ideas and strategies.

The Karimadom Housing Project
Karimadom is home to 2341 residents comprising 632 families. The colony is located south of East Fort and Trivandrum’s central market, Chalai. The land also acts as a watershed area for the greater city.

After the conceptual design ideas and strategies were thought of, three days of intense community participation was carried out. Individual and collective groups participated actively giving their own ideas and viewpoints about the proposal. The major intention of the exercise was to address the concerns of the community and make the design more appropriate for them.

The layout of the G+3 dwelling units typically consist of eight units on the ground and progressively reduce by two units on each floor with the fourth floor having two units. This system would allow more open space and the terraces give open space to all dwellers, which is more suited to their pattern of living. Smokeless chulas (stoves) have been provided in the kitchen reducing consumption of energy and improving air quality.

A hierarchy of community-based open spaces have been designed between buildings. Edges of the community are created by bio fencing rather than erecting rigid walls. There are also strategies to revitalize the existing pond and have cleaner and neater mechanisms for solid waste management and waste collection. A community composting bin and biogas plant have also been proposed.

Capacity building is a crucial component of the project. Two community cluster centers are being proposed to encourage several forms of production of goods by the dwellers including women as well. Two anganwadis (courtyard shelter) are also planned to support the health of the community.

The extent of a project being successful lies in how well the design ideas have been adapted to the needs of the user. For lower sections of the society, reflection of their living patterns in the design of their dwelling units would extend the life of such settlements. COSTFORD would strive to achieve this effectively and efficiently building its design philosophy on Laurie Baker’s principles.