Browsing by Author "Pellinen, Sini"

This research examines Sri Lanka's recent settlement policies and the outcomes of housing reconstruction that has taken place as a part of tsunami response. Post-tsunami housing reconstruction in Sri Lanka imposed a change towards more compact settlements, where a high number of people live closer to each other when compared to traditional villages. The objectives of the research are two-fold: firstly, to map out and scrutinize the factors and processes that have resulted in the post-tsunami settlement patterns characterized by high-density housing and apartment housing, and secondly, to find out how apartment housing that is an outcome of donor-driven development caters for the ways of life of the inhabitants. The research also evaluates the success of donor-driven housing development in meeting its development objectives. The analysis of the structural forces and mechanisms behind the post-tsunami settlement patterns is based on literary review that includes critical observation of relevant policy papers, national regulations and international agreements and guidelines. The examination of the implications of the change in housing form on the residents is carried out through a case study of a selected apartment housing scheme in Kalmunai, Eastern Sri Lanka. The primary data was collected during a field trip in November 2010. As the study is about understanding and interpreting social realities, qualitative methods that comprise of individual semi-structured interviews and various participatory methods were found most conducive. The total sample size is 51 individuals, mostly comprising of community members, including women and men in all age groups, as well as relevant local government authorities and civil society representatives. The research findings show that there are major gaps between the socio-cultural values and behavior and economic needs of the inhabitants on one hand, and the type of habitat apartment housing provides on the other hand. The housing programme has been successful in fulfilling the passive function of a house - provision of shelter. Improved living conditions and modern facilities bring stability to life and ease women's workload, especially. However, the flight of residents out of the scheme manifests that provision of physical shelter is not enough to meet the housing needs. From the economic point of view, it is evident that space limitations imposed by the apartment housing, such as lack of land for gardening, farming and animal husbandry and unavailability of space for home based businesses or cottage industries, have had a detrimental effect on the income levels and food security of the residents. Such restrictions have resulted in increasing the vulnerabilities of the residents already living on the verge of survival. From the social perspective, apartment housing schemes can provide a conducive environment for social interactions and formation of social capital, given that there is sufficient allocation for social spaces within the scheme. However, the section of population that forms a 'minority' within the scheme do face difficulties in fitting in to the local community. The research findings bring into light some of the main weaknesses of the donor driven housing/development. Donor driven development provides limited space for community consultation and participation in the implementation of the project. Subsequently the development processes do not support local ownership or building of social capital. This can have devastating effects on the sustainability of the project outputs, as shown in the case study. It also undermines the role of the community and social networks in supporting (or disabling) people's bonding with places and the formation of sense of place.