Lessons from Léogâne- Case Studies from Haiti

Drawing on three research investigations in Léogâne, the town at the epicenter of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake, this paper will evaluate built work and methods of construction. The paper will outline the structural and physical attributes of buildings that respond to some what opposing hazards: Light ductility to respond to seismic hazards, and heavy monolithic construction to resist annual hurricane forces. In addition, and more importantly, the paper will address logistical, economic, and societal constraints to build safe and affordable civic and residential structures following a natural disaster. The first building is a rural school serving more than 300 children. The building maximizes classroom size to enable diverse teaching methods, and uses affordable strategies to maximize natural day lighting and passive cooling. With funding from the Spanish Red Cross the building was completed in December 2012.The second building is a prototype rural clinic, built on the outskirts of Leogane to accommodate a midwifery-training project. The building responded to vernacular building practices, and was built in part to understand why so many concrete masonry buildings failed. Designed on a floor plan that could be adopted for residential use the 1,000 sq/ft building demonstrates simple, yet secure connection details. The design principles employed harness natural ventilation and allow for the building to expand from its core to affordably double the square footage of the house.The third investigation addressed an issue that arose during the construction of the two buildings highlighted above. A year and a half after the Haitian Earthquake it was not possible to purchase Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) of a dimension and compressive strength that would resist the forces of natural hazards present in the town where the epicenter of the earthquake struck. Collaborations with local producers, users and engineers were established to address the need to improve access to durable building materials.Six months after the Haitian Earthquake there was support and a willingness to consider adjustments to building practices, practices that had led to the loss of so many lives. However, delays in publishing and disseminating information into the hands of those rebuilding, led to little change in the building culture in Haiti. As Non Government Organizations withdrew to address the next humanitarian need in the region, temporary shelters became the default permanent solution. It is the author’s belief that the response to the Haitian Earthquake needs to be examined. Many valuable lessons can be learnt from Haiti’s recovery effort, lessons that are applicable to numerous tropical cities exposed to similar natural hazards around the world.

Volume Editors
Anthony Abbate, Francis Lyn & Rosemary Kennedy

ISBN
978-0-935502-90-9