Refer - The Hindu Newspaper , July 22, 2006
Tsunami recovery and rebuilding coastal areas
A regional coastal intervention process with the restoration of ecologyneeds to complement the tsunami-rebuilding effort, writes DURGANAND BALSAVAR

The liberalisation of the national economy has fuelled the growth of Chennai and other coastal towns. The sprawl of these urban settlements is gradually affecting the character of the east coast road between Chennai and Pondicherry. Alongside this phenomenon, are traditional fishing communities, depending on the sea for livelihood. The growth notwithstanding, the tsunami of December 2004 has also raised several complex issues. The coastal ecology appears to be absorbing the impact of all these developments.
At this critical reconstruction phase, exists an opportunity to evolve humane guidelines that relate environmental sustainability tothe needs of traditional communities. The process would require a paradigm shift to integrate restoration of the ecology with reconstruction plans. This would imply regulating the nature of development with the participation of community and experienced teams of professionals - policy makers, planners, environmental scientists, sociologists, architects and economists.
Need for bio-shields
Coastal development in the past has often resulted in indiscriminate clearing of vegetation and erosion of sand dunes. It has also led to depletion of ground water and the ingress of saline water into urban areas of Chennai. Coastal regulations have invariably been generalised despite the fact that different regions require regulations based on their varied and unique geographical character. A regional coastal intervention process with the creation of appropriate vegetation-belts and mangroves needs to complement the tsunami-rebuilding effort, as suggested by environmental scientists. Conserving natural sand dunes, minimising plastic and other wastes that destroy marine life, are non-negotiable aspects of the re-construction process. Studies by M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation have indicated the need for such bio-shields, which while regenerating ecology could considerably protect coastal settlements against cyclones and tsunamis.
Along with the devastation of certain natural features, entire villages were destroyed by the tsunami. The habitats and the ecology could take a few years to be restored. Availability of land for rebuilding has been a critical issue. While for occupational needs, the fishing community requires land in close proximity to the sea, aspects of safety in the event of cyclones need to be considered. Besides, given the nature of the coastal regulations and the increasing value of land along the Chennai coast, relocating affected villages could transform the nature of development. Settlement patterns designed for low-density growth are seldom possible due to limited availability of land especially near urban centre like Chennai, Pondicherry or Nagapattinam. These villages are thus experiencing vertical growth and appear as extensions to the city suburbs.
`Core' house
Re-building settlements and homes at a regional scale require a considered approach. In this context, the concept of a basic `core' house is appropriate. The design of the rural core house has the capacity to grow and respond to differing needs of families. The rural core house, like its historic antecedents, would be built of locally available materials, be climatically appropriate, respect the way of life of the community and have the potential to adapt and change. The rural core house, to begin with, has an area of about 350 square feet, containing basically two rooms and a thinnai (verandah) in front with a semi-open kitchen. Adequate space around the house allows for addition of rooms to meet the family's growing needs. Appropriate alternative technologies and innovative technological experiments can enrich the rebuilding process, as experienced in projects supported by non-governmental organisations like Costford and ADER, working in Nagapattinam. The technologies of rattrap brick bonds and terracotta filler roof slabs could be one of the approaches to reconstruction.
Solar lighting
In certain tsunami-rebuilding projects at Nagapattinam, undertaken by the Tata Relief Committee, solar lighting for the streets and wastewater recycling to recharge the groundwater has been envisaged. Such intervention would considerably ensure the protection of natural ecology. Consolidated efforts at rainwater harvesting could check the ingress of seawater into the water aquifers in the region.
Understanding community needs enables an empathetic approach to coastal development wherein government and non-governmental organisations could become responsible catalysts for change. They provide the needed support to the community in shaping and rebuilding their own environments. Community participation in the construction of their own homes and settlements would instil a greater sense of belonging and pride. While considerable effort has been invested in the region, the task ahead, to remain sustainable in the long term, requires providing opportunities to ensure the livelihood of coastal communities as well. NGO's like Dhan Foundation have integrated livelihood resource development with the coastal reconstruction process.
The Tata Relief Committee is also constructing community centres, which facilitate vocational training for women's self-help groups and educating children of less privileged and marginalised coastal communities. In the event of natural calamities, these centres are equipped to provide relief and refuge. Institutions such as schools, vocational centres and health centres are also being constructed to facilitatecommunity development. Projects by the Confederation of Indian Industry and their corporate members focus on building infrastructure to facilitate health-care and education in remote rural areas. Creating coastal infrastructure, though in the specific context of the tsunami, would enable the long-term development of the region as a whole. A community-centric process has also ensured that the infrastructure created meets their specific requirements. Rebuilding in response to large-scale natural calamities, like the tsunami, thus requires a coordinated effort from the affected communities, government, non-governmental organisations, environmentalists, educational institutions, corporates, architects, planners and other professionals.
Based on experience of various stakeholders working in the region, a humane community-based approach can sustain and enrich the balance between the built environment and the natural landscape. A holistic process can enable and inspire the arduous challenge of rebuilding an eco-system and its lost settlements.
The author is a architect and is involved in the reconstruction of coastal settlements.