An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas PDF

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An Irrepressible Home Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas. Juan Miguel B. David ABSTRACT Flooding in the Philippines has now become a major concern and threat to many aspects of industry, especially the people. With the unending climate chan...

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An Irrepressible Home Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas. Juan Miguel B. David

ABSTRACT Flooding in the Philippines has now become a major concern and threat to many aspects of industry, especially the people. With the unending climate change, these flooding can contribute to massive catastrophe in the near future, example of these calamities are Typhoon Ketsana, local name “Ondoy” and Typhoon Haiyan, local name “Yolanda” who wreak havoc to the country in 2009 and 2013 respectively, killing thousands of innocent lives due to major flooding. Though resiliency gives the Filipino people hope in overcoming such tragedy, it must come to an attention of many that proper solution must be provided to avert such things from happening. Different approaches shall be used to acquire resources and materials, like interview, surveys, photo documentations, observations, and among others that can be of importance to this study. One particular place in Metro Manila, the Artex Compound in Malabon City not only receives flood as threat, but also as their natural habitat and environment. Flood of chest – level deep submerged the entire compound since 2004, giving the people of the Artex a different way of living among others. Are they really comfortable living in permanent flood? How do they manage to live in such circumstances? Why do they still live in places like these? This is a case study with the objective to understand the people and their manner of living with the 15year-old flood, reflecting their way of life, their adaptability to cope with such environment and considering it to future tropical designs to prevent future flooding and others, and providing a sense of awareness and wake up call to the people concerned in helping these people and these kinds of scenarios. The final goal of this case study is to obtain the main reason of long term stay of inhabitants in the Artex Compound despite the severe flooding situation, which can be used as supporting studies on pursuing better design proposals of flood – proof homes. As a result, this study focus on creating a design in tropical architecture that can address the main problem of flooding in Metro Manila. On top of it, it will organize a body of knowledge about innovations of housing designs that features solutions that address the challenges of climate change through tropical design.

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

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BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

In a world where change lingers to threaten the quality of life of the people in terms of our way of living, such as the congestion of metropolitan areas, health hazards, and the infamous global climate change (Bauer, 2010, p.10)1, they find a way to craft something that inevitably beats nature with the assistance of science and state of the art technologies, which lead to modernizing the new world. With over 7,107 islands, the coastline of the Philippines is longer than the coastline of the United States which extends to 235, 973 square kilometers (Llanto, G.M., 2005, p.3) 2. These bodies of waters border the country to create countless opportunities to Filipinos. Not only opportunities, but grave threats haunt the people yearly, particularly the forces of nature. In the Philippines today, the country has been struck by numerous storms, floods, and earthquakes for the past decade, leaving millions of people and infrastructures affected in their wake. Typhoon Haiyan, local name “Yolanda”, is an example of a dark history the whole world witnessed last 2013. This powerful storm devastated the eastern part of the country with a death toll of 6,340 people as per reports with massive winds and gigantic surges. Even country’s capital has also been ravaged by monster storms. Typhoon Ketsana, local name “Ondoy”, made a direct fall on Metro Manila, rising the toll of 464 fatalities, and disrupting the cities (“Philippines: A Crucial First Step to Address Metro Manila’s Floods”, para. 4)3 due to extreme flooding. Experiencing these disasters, Filipino people has ever been united especially in times of turmoil, making them spirited and resilient (“Resilience in the Philippines”, para. 11)4. Filipino people, despite the catastrophes they confronted, they still continue to show their smile, support and hope to one another that they can stand up once again on their feet (“Philippines: ‘Filipino People Are Strong and Resilient’”, para. 3)5. Seeing how Filipinos thrive in different circumstances, it is not very surprising how the world admired these people when it comes to their responsibilities, awareness, and unity. Filipino people deserve a chance to live the life they want without sacrificing others and suffering from the destruction of such calamities. Filipino people deserves a perfect and well – off life, not a resilient one. 1.1. Statement of the Problem In Metro Manila, flood has become a severe problem year in and year out partly due to global climate change. Thousands and thousands of people suffer every year because of major floodings in the low – lying areas. With unending dramatic phenomenon of climate change, sea levels will continue to rise (Smith, P., 2005, p. 8)6, making it a cause of headache for urban managers and local government administrations. Considering these conditions, it may be safe to say that modifications on the design of houses would be appropriate. In line with this, this research would look into how tropical design solutions can impart innovations that will make houses resilient to floodings.

Bauer, M., Mosle, P., and Schwarz, M., (2010). Green Building – Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture. Stuttgart, Germany: Callwey Verlag Munich. 2 Llanto, G.M, Basilio, E.L., Basilio, L. (2005). Competition Policy and Regulation in Ports and Shipping. Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies. 3 Warwick, M., (2017, September 29). Philippines: A Crucial First Step to Address Metro Manila’s Floods [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from http://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/philippines-a-cruciala-firsta-step-to-address-metromanila-floods 4 McCord, J.M., (2013, November 13). Resilience in the Philippines – Communities show tenacity and hope after Typhoo Haiyan. Retrieved from https://www.rare.org/stories/resilience-philippines 5 Ruiz, S. and Wuthrich, T., (2015, March 6). Philippines: ‘Filipino People Are Strong and Resilient’. Retrieved from https://canadianglobalresponse.ca/philippines-filipino-people-are-strong-and-resilient/ 6 Smith, P., (2005). Architecture in a Climate of Change – A Guide to Sustainable Design. Oxford, UK: Elsevier, Architectural Press. 1

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

DAVID It advances the idea that proper design applying the principles of Tropical Architecture may be able to contribute in addressing the challenges of climate change. The study expects a model or prototype of houses that features strong attributes that counter the ill – effects of floodings. On top of it, it will organize a body of knowledge about innovations of housing designs that features solutions that address the challenges of climate change through tropical design. 1.2. Key Research Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is the height of the rise of the water level from the last 20 years, and projected to the next 20 years? What is the government’s projection and assessment regarding the above problems and their possible solutions? What is the current status of the people living in fear of getting their houses flooded every time a torrential rainfall occurs? Are the people going to afford an irrepressible house? What materials are going to be used? What will be the overall design of the house in terms of tropical architecture, its sustainability and resiliency? How is the structural integrity of the house going to withstand flood water?

1.3. Significance of the Study This study signifies two major points with different aspects in relation to people affected, improving one’s life and maximizing the capability of the land the house is residing. The proposed development will be an illustration of future development and innovation of a typical house of the city, and will eventually lead to further research of such preventive procedures for other natural calamities that may come about. As such, this project will benefit in the following aspects: 1.3.1 Architectural Significance This will be mainly a mixture of Resilient Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, and Tropical Architecture which can be provided with a 21st century design and can be applied to almost all houses that are prone to flooding. The project will be an epitome of the next contemporary house designs will be. This can redefine resiliency and tropical architecture in a whole new level in terms of livability and adaptability to future climatic conditions. 1.3.2 Safety Designing houses comes with protection of man against the forces of nature. Houses no longer protecting the people inside of it ignores the purpose of the design. An innovation of such houses can relive one of the main purpose of a house which is promoting safety to the man inside of it from any other disturbances. 1.4. Scope and Limitation This study calls for a design, theory, or a guideline that can redefine tropical architecture that can incorporate new ways to defend people and houses from the flood rising from the low lying communities in Marikina City, specifically Barangay Concepcion Dos. The present condition of half of Concepcion Dos shall be the basis of the scope and reference of this topic. This study is mainly focused on the feasibility of the project, as well as covering case studies of other people experiencing such calamity. Stated below are the scope and limitations of this project: -

Providing a new design for tropical architecture considering flood as a major factor in low lying community areas given the data that can be gathered.

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

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Providing case studies that can provide feasibility of the project and can relate to the present problems of flood to people and their houses.

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Providing new sustainability and resiliency to the houses affected by floods in relation to the new house design.

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Updating guidelines of tropical architecture in relation to the Global Climate change facing today.

This scope and limitations shall not be limited to the given statements above. This shall be the guideline of the researcher to achieve the study and to provide results that can solve the problem statement of this project. 1.5. Expected Project Output With proper data that can be gathered, possible outputs of this research can be generated. Such outputs can be: 1.3.1. Conceptual Development Without a concept, any design of structure cannot be completely effective and will possibly be chaotic. The major output of this project is an innovative design of a house being a flood proof home. To be a revolutionary design, one must consider developing a concept that will serve as its roots and foundations. 1.3.2. Design Solution A new scheme or design can be formulated after considering all the facts and figures congregated and future problems that can arise in the matter. Production of prototype or model of the design can be proposed for better understanding of the solution to the problem. 1.3.3. Further Research This study can cover countless topics, but such topics can be deliberated further by a different research that can also lead into more understanding of the problem. This study can be the baseline of the other potential research studies. 1.3.4. Public Awareness/ Additional Knowledge or Information As this problem is mainly the concern of the public or anyone affected, this can be a study that can be of new information to these people, and as such, they can reflect on their sense of living with their household in their particular area.

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter sites the foreign and local literature the researcher has acquired for the proposed study. The literatures gathered with corresponding sources are significant for the foundation and will serve as a proof of feasibility of the study. This chapter will also aid the researcher to acquire different ideas and perspectives to approach the project. 2.1. About Global Climate Change Book:

Architecture in a Climate of Change – A Guide to Sustainable Design

Author:

Peter Smith

Publication:

Elsevier, Architectural Press

Year:

2005

In the year 1990, scientist presented a graph that rises drastically in terms of amount of Carbon Dioxide present in the atmosphere and temperature (p.1). Other evidences such as the rise of sea levels, increase of temperature, and catastrophic storms and flood has been amplified by the year 2000s are proof that the climate is changing up until this very moment. But this change of climate is not purely the fault of the people. Change of climate is present over the past millions of years, including ice ages, and this was due to factors such as the tilt of the earth towards the sun, the moon revolving around the Earth, movement of tectonic plates, and volcanic activities (p.5). This change of climate is everybody’s hot topic right now. It is inevitable and will continue to occur no matter what preventive measures people may do. Various people have advocacies to reduce the usage of carbon dioxide, plastics, chemical combustions, and deforestations. The best thing to do as of the moment is to reduce the increase of rapid change of the climate, and take preventive designs in terms of Architecture. A concept of a calamity proof design can be used to create structures that prevent calamities affecting people living in the building. Book:

Urban Climate Challenges in the Tropics: Rethinking, Planning and Design Opportunities

Author:

Rohinton Emmanuel

Publication:

London, Imperial College Press

Year:

2016

Climate change risk is concentrated in urban areas according to Rohinton Emmanuel (p.1). Reports on TV, newspapers and even in social media have been focused mostly on calamities stirring in cities, where major damages in terms of fatalities and loss of properties and businesses occur. Climate change also affects the thermal comfort of the people, where as people experience more sense of heat than cool in the tropical countries (p.13). People should now be open to passive climate – designs of Architecture, but this also depends on the status of the people. People in the tropical countries tend to choose mechanical cooling rather than using the natural wind present for the reason of mechanical cooling is more comfortable (p.12). In a way, people should be adaptive to the natural temperature of their area. In line with this, architects should design adaptive buildings, including natural hazards and disasters. A change of climate is occurring, thus a change of the tropical design should be implemented and considered.

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

DAVID Book Title: Author: Publication: Year:

Climate Change: A Silent Threat De Forges, S.R. BlueStrike Publications n.d.

Global sea level rises 3.4mm yearly and still show no signs of stopping, doubling the rate of rise this past decade (De Forges, n.d.). This data comes from the study of a data satellite monitoring from 1993 up to the present due to global increase also in temperature. This rise of sea levels was also due to the melting of ice masses in the poles of the Earth and for about a century, a total of 17cm rose above sea level permanently. According to studies, the sea will rise over half a meter at the end of the century, affecting greatly all elements near coastal areas, water resources, and agricultural lands (De Forges, n.d.). Humidity also continues to rise due to the fast evaporation of water because of increasing temperature, compromising thermal comfort. Such phenomena are already affecting the residents in the compound. This can be studied further in terms of acquiring general knowledge of the area and data from the people who experience first-hand these traits in terms of their overall comfort. Not only these people will become affected in the latter years of this century, but people from around the world in low – lying communities will soon experience permanent floods, vacating their residence for good or maybe be like the people in the Artex Compound, adapting to the flow of nature giving to them and choosing the comfort of living with flood. 2.2. Resiliency and Sustainability Book:

Green Building: Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture

Author:

Michael Bauer, Peter Mosle, and Michael Schwarz

Publication:

Callwey Verlag, Munich

Year:

2007

Many organizations and groups worldwide, like LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, and Berde are taking their part to help in recognizing buildings or structures that are sustainable enough to provide the best practice and to create their own energy and minimizes the consumption of non – renewable energies and their impact to the environment around it. (p.15). Many factors can be considered for a sustainable design and can be applied to almost any building present in any location. But climatic conditions play an important role considering the possible designs that can be used for sustainability (p.67). In the climate of the Philippines where mostly low lying urban areas call for a design that can sustain the heavy impacts of floods and rains, same concept applied that it should be needed of having the best practice to minimize impact from the environment and of the building itself. Resiliency can be the new Sustainability in terms of preventing structures from natural hazards. Article:

Philippines: ‘Filipino People are Strong and Resilient”

Author:

Sarah Ruiz and Tim Wuthrich

Publication:

Canadian Global Response

Year:

2015

The Filipino people, even in times of calamity always shows resiliency. Filipino people are strong and can be able to stand up once again, rebuilding lives after a calamity ravaged their land (para. 3). Houses were built up once again for the people who lost their houses by storms with the aid of “bayanihan” and other volunteers from around the world (para. 2). A case of rebuilding houses need not to be rebuild if these houses are provided with the strength to withstand the strong winds and flash floods of the typhoons. A sense of resiliency of the Filipino people can be more

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An Irrepressible Home: Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas .

DAVID appropriate if there is a sense of preventive measures first of their houses from such phenomena. A house that cannot be brought down by such calamities is better than rebuilding it. Article:

Resilience in the Philippines: Communities show Tenacity and Hope after Typhoon Hayian

Author:

J.M. McCord

Publication:

Rare Organization

Year:

2013

“I speak for the countless people who will no longer be able to speak for themselves, by failing to meet the objective of...