Appropriate Building Design for Uch and Other Cities of Southern Punjab

2.6 Manual

On the basis of the processes described in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.5 above, the CRC prepared a report and technical manual, as required by TOR. The manual is discussed in paragraph 3 (Outputs).

2.7 Establishing Contact with Local Government, Educational Institutions and other Interest Groups

Once the CRC’s work had developed to an extent that it could be explained coherently (before the completion of the manual) to interest groups, CRC established contacts with the Nazim of Bahawalpur district and tehsil and UC nazims of Uch. Contact was also established with the Bahawalpur Zakaria University; University of Engineering and Technology Multan; Government Technical Training Institute Bahawalpur; architects working in southern Punjab; C&W government of Punjab and private companies such as the National Evaluation Company (private) limited and contractors and building material suppliers. These contacts later provided support and participated in the workshops that were held in Multan and Bahawalpur.

This Process Of Contacting Interest Groups And Local Government Has Created A Large Lobby Which Has Shown Considerable Interest In Adopting The Processes And Technologies Recommended By The Project Outputs. This Is Also Generated Considerable Debate On The Subject. However, This Process Needs Nurturing And Subsequent Institutionalisation If It Has To Bring About A Change In Construction Technologies And Processes In Southern Punjab. 

2.8 Workshops

To present the manual to interest groups the CRC held two workshops, one in Multan in January 2004 and the other in Bahawalpur in March 2004. The workshops were attended by local government representatives, technical staff and members of citizen’s community boards. Contractors, building material suppliers, architects, engineers, officials of the Punjab government, local NGOs and teachers from academic institutions also attended. Southern Punjab architects not only participated in the workshops but also helped in arranging them. List of participants who attended the two workshops is given as Appendix – 2.

The workshop participants have shown a keen interest in the presentation of the manual and endorsed most of its findings and recommendations. As a follow-up the Chief Engineer, Punjab Research and Development Department and the District Manager of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority Bahawalpur and Lodhran have been in touch with the CRC. Letters received from them are attached and marked as Appendix – 3.

The Workshops Have Added To The Knowledge Of The Participants Regarding The Close Relationship Between Climate, Sociology And Architecture. It Has Also Identified The Processes And Technologies Required To Produce A Comfortable, Economic And Socially Appropriate Architecture. The CRC Has Benefited From The Observations And Ideas That The Participants Put Forward And These Have Been Incorporated In The Manual. 

3. Project Outputs And Impact

3.1 Human And Material Resources

As a result of the process followed by the CRC, a number of mid-level professionals, young graduates and technical persons have been trained to understand the relationship between architecture, climate, technology, sociology and the processes of buildings. They have also understood the constraints that contemporary building processes are subject to and have also developed a vision of how these constraints might be removed. The list of persons involved with the CRC process in Appendix 1 gives an indication of the extent of the development of human resources related to the subject and the list of workshop participants in Appendix 2 gives an indication of the potential for future development.

The CRC has also acquired equipment, books, data, all related to Project subject. In addition, they have developed forms and data sheets for climatic auditing, social and economic surveys, physical surveys of buildings and technologies and have a detail list of interest groups, government organisations, private sector companies, academic and training institutions, individuals and NGOs who are or can be involved with the subject.

The CRC has prepared 280 final drawings for the Project. These include graphs and climatic charts. Photographic documentation consists of over 500 pictures. In addition, they have 163 building surveys, 55 construction details and city maps of Uch. This material is of enormous value and can be used by students, teachers and researchers. A base has been created which can be built upon.

3.2 Technical Manual

The technical manual consists of a number of chapters. It explains in simple terms the principles of climate control through orientation, ventilation, de-humidification, vertical plain insulation and environmentally responsive building construction. It also deals with issues related to cultural sensitivity and how they can be incorporated in building designs. Cost effectiveness related to construction, maintenance and energy costs is also dealt with.

Design recommendations related to site planning, utilities, plantations (including list of trees) are explained. Appropriate designs for foundations, walls, roofs (in different materials), plumbing and electrification are given in the manual. In addition, reasons for failures in current practice are also identified along with check-lists for proper instructions and construction management and monitoring.

The entire text is illustrated with sections, plans and details beautifully drawn out and simply explained. The appendices to the manual contain examples of traditional houses from Uch Sharif; glossary of traditional terms for residential spaces; climatic data of southern Punjab; sample construction contract between building contractors and house builders; estimation of building quantities and a list of regulatory, advisory and technical help facilities.

The Manual, When Translated Into Urdu, Will Make A Lot Of Sense To House Builders And Building Contractors In Southern Punjab. If The Urdu Is Simple, It Will Be Understood More Widely. It Is Excellent Teaching Material For Technical Schools, Polytechnics And Professional Colleges And Universities. If It Is Introduced As An Integral Part Of Their Courses, It Will Bring About A Major Change In How The Built-Environment Is Conceived And Constructed.

In addition to the manual, the CRC has also produced a report. This report contains material on the historical background of southern Punjab; its physical and socio-cultural setting and its administrative structure. In the report the CRC has also explained its research methodology and dealt at length with issues of cultural sensitivity and climate. Again, these issues are illustrated with beautiful photographs, drawings and maps. The report format and structure of thought can be followed by other similar projects.

3.3 Building Designs

Designs for a new mosque in Uch have been completed. The design is culturally sensitive and uses technology and technique advocated by the CRC manual. The client is a local imam. In addition, the Chief Engineer, Research and Development of the C&W Department, government of Punjab has requested the CRC for a standard design for a girls’ primary school. This is in the process of being prepared. The school has developed small shaded open spaces for outdoor classes in winter and made it climatically appropriate and comfortable. Once these buildings have been constructed, they can be used for demonstration for promoting appropriate building designs for southern Punjab.

3.4 Impact

Two local professionals, both residents of Uch, Architect Jam Ayyaz and Tahir Maqbool, have been trained in understanding of local construction, issues of climate and environment and user needs. Tahir Maqbool is presently the only local technical person designing in Uch. He has helped survey local houses and identified their issues related to construction quality, climate control and cultural appropriateness. He is an excellent extension agent and through him the recommendations of the manual can be promoted in Uch.

Local community representatives and contractors participated in the workshops held in Bahawalpur and Multan and showed a keen interest in the issues of house design, climate and appropriate technologies. In addition, CRC teams conducted market surveys of local construction materials. Interaction with material suppliers and kiln owners has generated a dialogue and established contact between the material suppliers and CRC technical staff and professionals. Academic and government institutions have also established links with the Project and have sought its help and support.

4. Evaluation

In history, during period of transition, the built-environment has suffered as both technology and society remain in a state of flux. We are passing through such a period today. There is therefore, a need to understand the process of change and respond to it. As a result of a shift from a barter to a cash economy, hereditary caste related professions no longer exist and labour is measured in cash terms, making skilled labour unaffordable to poorer communities. Materials of construction are increasingly industrially produced and are no longer the domain of the community. Age old well established relationships between the builder, supplier of materials and house owner is no longer a local affair. The contractor-supplier and contractor-builder has stepped in. Castes that maintained buildings, swept the streets, cleaned the toilets, have acquired an upward mobility and are on their way out.

Social changes have led to new aspirations which borrow from contemporary values of big cities. Women’s education has had repercussions on family life and use of space. Attached toilets are increasingly built and there is a demand for accommodating the television.

Cement, manufactured in distant factories has replaced local line. Concrete roofs, mosaic floors, flush toilets and piped water all require industrially produced materials and transporters to deliver them. The Lack of understanding of the use of new technologies leads to inappropriate designs and poor quality constructions. Cars, buses and trucks are in common use and their special requirements are not understood or catered to. Professional education does not deal with the crisis that social and technical change has created. In addition, climate and ecological changes have also taken place affecting temperature, flora and humidity.