Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": New house built in the traditional “Bhatar” method after training.

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    Holcim Awards Acknowledgement prize 2008 Asia Pacific (l-r): Tom Schacher and Thomas Fisler for their project "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan".

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": A 12-page step-by-step construction manual, also available in local language.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": “Bhatar” at Besham Fort.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": “Bhatar” in Battagram.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": Development of training manual.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": Classroom training.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": Practical exercises.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": On the job training.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": Reinforcement detail.

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    Project entry 2008 Asia Pacific - "Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan": Traditional roof insulation.

  • Awards Acknowledgement prize 2008–2009 Asia Pacific

After the devastating earthquake of 2005, which destroyed close to half a million rural houses, training centers for the reconstruction of earthquake resistant private dwellings were created. This project entry couples advanced engineering knowledge with the reliability of traditional materials and skills. Pilot projects strengthen self-reliance in the local population to undertake re-building.

Last updated: April 11, 2013

By Tom Schacher - Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation SDC, Agarone, TI, Switzerland and

Ideas: Conflict & Emergency, Housing Needs

After the devastating earthquake of 2005, which destroyed close to half a million rural houses, training centers for the reconstruction of earthquake resistant private dwellings were created.

The concept, Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, couples advanced engineering knowledge with the reliability of traditional materials and skills. Pilot projects strengthen self-reliance in the local population to undertake re-building.

Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction

Project authors

  • Tom Schacher

    Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation SDC

    Switzerland

  • Thomas Fisler

    Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation SDC

    Switzerland

Project updates

November 28, 2008 | Winners for Asia Pacific announced | New Delhi, India

Solid future for sustainable construction in Asia Pacific

The winners of the second Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction from across region Asia Pacific were announced at a ceremony in New Delhi. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to ten projects that show future-oriented and tangible approaches to urban renewal and development, energy efficiency and affordable housing.

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June 05, 2008 | Regional Jury Report – Asia Pacific | Shanghai, China

“An encouraging example of self-reliance” – Holcim Awards Jury

The outstanding highlight of this initiative to create eleven training centers for the reconstruction of private houses, is the consequent renunciation of typically-applied modern construction materials and techniques such as steel and reinforced concrete. In the isolated mountain areas of Pakistan such methods are not feasible. Hence, the approach consisted of identifying the retained as well as already-lost know-how, developing the missing parts and creating a simple manual for the construction of earthquake resistant dwellings with local materials and skills.

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February 29, 2008 | Project Entry & Details | North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan

Project Entry 2008 for Asia Pacific

After the devastating earthquake of 2005, training centers for the reconstruction of private housing were created. The concept, Advocacy of traditional earthquake-resistant construction, couples advanced engineering knowledge with the reliability of traditional materials and skills. Pilot projects strengthen self-reliance in the local population to undertake re-building.

Read full article

Related information

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Location

pin Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan