Introduction

After the success of the sanitation program housing program was started in 1986, following the same R & E approach. Surveys showed that poor peoples houses in Orangi had the following defects:

use of sub-standard manually made concrete blocks - the main building components for walls and foundation - caused cracks

faulty construction techniques were used due to the ignorance, as well as quick fix attitude of masons and house owners

the existing structure being weak, could not take the load of the conventional RCC roof, for ground plus one construction

faulty ventilation

Two years were spent, on research on these problems and later years, on extension of research findings. Initial research and extension of research findings were in itself action research and so threw up another line of research and extension. The process continues.

Research consisted of:

upgrading the local thallas (building component manufacturing yards): improving the concrete blocks and alternative roofing components (experiments on ferrocement roofing channels, precast batton tile and tier girder tile roofing).

evolving standard construction design & techniques

preparing standardised steel shuttering

writing manuals and instruction sheets

preparing audio visual aids

construction demonstration models units

Extension consisted of:

finding thallawalas willing to participate in research and development ( R & D )

training masons - teaching them improved design and construction techniques and the better use of tools

lending tools and shutterings

providing accurate plans and estimates

R & E has reduced the cost and improved the quality of construction. Upgrading the thallas was an important aspect of the work, so a little about it.

Upgrading the Thalla:

In 1987 thru research and extension, first in one thalla (building component manufacturing yard) the block making process was modernized. Instead of the hand process of concrete block production which produced very poor quality blocks, the mechanized process together with other improved techniques was introduced (details were provided in previous report). The result was, the machine made blocks were 4 times stronger then the hand made blocks but sold at the same price. In 1987 three more thallas were mechanized with OPP-RTI supervision and loan. The production and sale in these thallas has been documented. By Aug’11, 47.307 million blocks worth Rs. 210.92 million have been sold, 60% of these have been sold outside Orangi. Following the example of the first four mechanized thallas, 121 thallas adopted the machine making process without any loans from OPP (survey Dec’2006). Orangi has become a centre for the production of mechanized blocks in Karachi. With the blocks sold at these thallas, annually, average 2,500 houses have benefitted from use of improved building components.

Presently emphasis is on extension of techniques researched earlier and minimizing defects.This is being done by training youths to work as community architects/extension agents and by strengthening the technical support organizations TTRC and the newly formed TTC.

Present Package of Advice and Extension:

The present package of advice, (the load bearing technology), is as follows:

Appropriately designed in-situ foundation for a minimum ground + 1 st floor construction

6” thick load bearing walls of machine made blocks

Batten/tile or T-girder/tile roofing and proper fixing methods

Precast staircase

Proper orientation and ventilation

Proper construction techniques

This load bearing construction is 1/3rd the cost of RCC (Reinforced Concrete Construction).

Impact studies were undertaken. Presently i n efforts to facilitate extension of techniques, leaflets based on the study and some more are being extended, by the support institutions TTRC and TTC, to house owners and masons in Orangi, Gadap and other nearby towns.

Construction and Demonstration

With the introduction of appropriate techniques, the construction units have required careful supervision. Masons and youths have been trained as community architects/extension agents. The training of youths has evolved into support institutions - the TTRC and the newly formed TTC as detailed below . Total 396 demonstration units have been completed (27 this period Jul'11 to Sep'11) with 168 masons trained, mostly in Orangi. Since early 2002 TTRC is extending support for house construction. Since 2010 TTC has started similar work in Khairabad/Zobu goth.

Training, Extension and Documentation – The Technical Training

Resource Centre (TTRC) and now the Tameer Technical Center (TTC) in Zobu goth/Khairabad.

Youths trained as community architects setup the TTRC and are managing the extension of the housing program and its documentation: So far plans and estimates for total 501 units were completed. Of which 180 are schools, where ventilation improvements have been a focus. For 385 units fees was received from owners. On 5 projects preparation of plans and estimates is in progress. Supervision of total 198 projects was completed. For extension of techniques TTRC undertakes mobile guidance i.e. units under construction in the settlements are observed and on the spot guidance is provided. Total 217 units were provided guidance, more masons and house owners have come in contact, documentation is ongoing. Lack of proper orientation, ventilation and foundation techniques are the recurring problems in houses and schools. Through on site guidance, leaflets, posters, meetings with CBOs, masons, schools and house owners, the importance of these are being emphasised. More youths are being trained by TTRC. Its support for area mapping is another important activity.

TTC has evolved linked to the Secure Housing Support program. Youths trained and guided since June’09 have setup the Tameer Technical Center in Zobu goth/Khairabad. TTC so far has documented 48 units. This documentation shows the lack of orientation, ventilation and technical issues in the houses. The program helps in solving these issues by mobilizing the community through on site guidance, leaflets, sample designs of houses, meeting with masons, house owners and site supervisors. 35 house owners (9 this period ) have been motivated in accepting the solutions provided by TTC, of more houses plans are under process. Masons, house owners and site supervisors are in regular contact. Efforts to install Matka filter (slow sand water filter) in houses, (10 installed by people on self help - three this period ) in Zobu goth and community motivation for tree plantation is ongoing. Documentation and technical support to the Cooperative Housing Savings and Loan program (group one) is underway, of 9 more units plans were provided this period and construction was guided and documented.