Lessons From The Tsunami

There are important lessons for planners and architects in the aftermath of the tsunami.

1 minute read

April 5, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The positioning of buildings is important. Traditional villages were located some distance away from the beach, under leafy canopies of palms and near to fresh-water creeks.But tourist resorts were located on the beach, with direct connection to a beachfront bar and restaurant, with surf boards, skis and catamarans for hire nearby. These prime pieces of real estate were the first and most viciously damaged by the big waves.

...Those densely populated villages were thoroughly destroyed, leaving another problem common in ruined environments. There is now no record of land ownership, no title, no measurements on a map to show where a dwelling once stood. Reconstruction cannot occur until it is decided who has the right to the land."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

Monday, April 4, 2005 in The Age, Australia

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