• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Lateral Housing:
Informal Settlements in Syria
Sarah Bridges
Affiliated with Architects for Peace(www.architectsforpeace.org)
I
n 2009’s social-political environment where such intense focus is placed on theeconomic policies of the past, there is definitely room for questions to scrutinize systemsof old to pro-actively engage in the future solutions. With ‘bailout’ plans beingimplemented around Australia and the world to fund public projects such as education,housing and infrastructure, a close eye should be cast on these existing systems so wedon’t make the same mistakes. Particular attention is needed on social housing, wherelags in the top-down system have led to a notorious history of long waiting lists andmany simply going without. This article attempts to prompt such questions, by presentinga ‘lateral’ approach to social housing issues. One approach that no doubt has manyflaws yet highlights not only the need of housing in the greater population, but alsopossibilities of an earnest collaboration between communities to achieve results.
S
ocial housing, in its simplest form, is a government managed system that providesaffordable living environments. Yet imagine a state where the bureaucratic principle of social housing never emerges – instead it embraces acommunity-regulated system. This exists in manycommunities around the world, from developing nationsto some of the world’s oldest cities. This phenomenonis recognized in the less diplomatic term: “InformalSettlements”; a system that breaches the “formal”conventions of urban development and is oftensupported by the existence of “Informal Economies”.Unfortunately, it also means that those so served –while gifted with a dwelling that a bureaucracy wouldbe unable to deliver – live in sub-standard housing.Research shows that most countries have an over demand for social housing, suggesting operationalflaws in the top-down system employed. The result iseither an unrealistic waiting period, (as in Australia), or the manifestation of a non-
Local plastererRoof scape in Jeremana
 
regulated ‘informal’ or ‘illegal’ system. Through a field trip conducted in Damascus, Syriain 2003, it became apparent that there is a possibility for dialogue between the formaland informal sectors – a possibility that both systems could learn from each other andexpand on the current approaches to social housing around the world. We travelled toJeremana, originally a green area in the oasis (Ghuta) located on the eastern fringe of Damascus. Today formal and informal dwellings dot the desert floor, slowly devouringwhat remains of the precious oasis. Jeremana attracts a range of people; from lessprivileged Damascenes and nationaland international migrants, to, inrecent times, refugees; all looking tobuild a future for their families.Harbouring a hearty mix of culture,religion, language, innovativebuilding and entrepreneurial spirit,Jeremana is truly alive, andfunctions like any other developedsuburb. It is however, classed as an“Informal Settlement”, and as such,doesn’t receive the equivalentgovernmental support afforded tosuburbs classified as lying within theformal sector. Thus, a process hasemerged that involves inhabitantstaking this responsibility into their own hands.Today, a sophisticated informal system exists, where locally operated businesses fromboth sectors collaborate to drive both financial and urban development. So how did thiscome to pass? How is it that buildings arebuilt and economies are developing onland which does not belong to theoccupiers, in an arrangement that existsentirely outside of the normal systems of regulation? In Syria, the law once statedthat, if the government evicts anyone froma home and demolishes it, alternativeshelter must be provided.Correspondingly, for the past 50 years inSyria, a house is officially deemedinhabitable when four walls, a roof, andworking plumbing all exist. One can onlyimagine with housing in such highdemand that building inspectors wouldoften find dwellings erected literallyovernight by groups of families andfriends. Needless to say, this has led to aseries of sub-standard developments andslums, putting many occupants at risk.The exploding population in Damascusneeded an answer, and the government’snormal bureaucratic channels had provenineffective. The Syrian government was forced to stand back and re-evaluate the
Orchard only sign of greenery from the Oasis Typical apartment block in Jeremana
 
situation, and in doing so, implemented an unwritten 30 day grace period for houses tobe built in lieu of the previously recognized 24 hours. This, in turn raised the standard of some houses, but, paradoxically promoted the development of multi-story informaldevelopments. Consequently the government is faced by a situation where almost 1million “informal” dwellers live on the outskirts of Damascus in predominantly sub-standard housing. This situation has continued to escalate over the years while thegovernment slowly struggles to arrive at a solution.Jeremana’s long history of housing informality hasgiven rise to a mixture of housing types. There are thelow rise tenements – the original, quickly built “informalhouses” – and the multi storey apartment blocks builtby locally run developers working in the communitywith local estate agents. The key building material isconcrete block, which is also made locally and asimagined varies in quality. Many of the roofs have their reinforcement exposed and protruding, giving thedistinct impression of the possibility of future verticalexpansion. There is a lack of basic amenities, as wellas daylight and ventilation, a disregard for earthquakeproofing, and very often shortcuts have been taken inconstruction methods and materials. However, for many, there remains no alternative.Whilst on the field trip to Jeremana, we conductedinterviews with the inhabitants— seeking an idea of how they came to reside in the area, and what theythought of the lifestyle. To our surprise, families had earnest stories of how they werepart of a community financial pooling system, wherein a number of groups had combinedfinances to purchase apartments systematically for each other. This was a sophisticatedsystem, building strong community spirit and the potential for sustainable futuredevelopment. It was also interesting to note that those families who had input into theway their houses were built, had developed a certain “pride of place”. They had thengone on to continually upgrade their own houses, adding to the character of the area,changing an atmosphere fraught by the temporary and transient, to one characterised bya sense of permanence.We were able to see a number of positives in the way development hadoccurred.
•
Compensation for the formalsector’s failure to provide basicshelter, goods and services;
•
Use labour intensive methods of construction providing employmentwithin the local neighbourhood;
•
Use local materials, and minimalimported goods;
•
Contribute to the national economyquite significantly; and
Problematic construction techniques Jeremana Street scape
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...