HAITI:

FROM CAMPS
TO COMMUNITIES

D+E|E+D
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

Design connect, DE&ED, and the International Planning Student Organization have come together
in response to the January 12, Haitian earthquake. Bringing together a wide variety of backgrounds
in architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and city planning the team has created a design-
based response for housing those displaced by the disaster.

The following document explores the ideal qualities that should be considered when:
• Selecting a site for a new community development
• Planning infrastructural layout needs of such a site
• Designing construction techniques that can be used to maximize the health, safety, and well
being of the new residents.

This draft is an example of the design services Cornell can offer. The following work should be
considered as design suggestions and strategies rather than finalized solutions.

SITE SELECTION

Criteria to consider when selecting a site for Haitian refugees revolve around three primary factors
regarding the site’s physical features, legal & political conditions and off-site conditions. These
criteria are ranked by importance in the table found in the Appendix.

Physical Factors: Soil type, depth to bedrock, water table, slope, elevation, on site water bodies,
vegetation, topography, pollution, installed utilities, buildings, fences, bridges, transportation access
and the site’s prior history.

Legal and Political Factors: Federal and state regulations, past & current zoning, potential rights-of
way, building codes, number and types of neighborhood associations and special interest groups,
local community attitudes toward development, transitional community size, location and function of
NGO’s and Multilateral Aid groups, food and water distribution, and safety.

Off-Site Factors: Proximity to incompatible land uses (city dump, heavy industry), transportation,
community services, and employment centers.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INFRASTRUCTURE + LAYOUT

• Primary and secondary streets should be laid out first to secure access for service, construction,
and emergency vehicles.
• Street-side ditches could direct storm water runoff to treatment/infiltration areas in order to
prevent flooding and disease.
• Construction support facilities may include rubble processing equipment, training, employment,
dormitories, and materials storage
• An infrastructure grid could be laid for water, electricity, and sewer lines (where possible) to core
infrastructure units
• Ready-to-build home sites might be laid out on a common foundation surrounding shared core
infrastructure units. Previously constructed areas might retain prior parcels for continuity.
• Prime commercial sites along primary roads may be sold to businesses to subsidize low-cost
interior home sites and provide additional services and employment.
• Key facilities such as job dispatch and food/fuel distribution centers, security/fire departments,
counseling and health clinics could be constructed at primary street intersections. Community
facilities (such schools, churches, community centers) could be constructed at secondary street
intersections.

CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES

• Construction should be designed and engineered appropriately so as to protect residents from the
rain/hurricane season and withstand earthquake aftershocks
• Construction strategies might focus on training, distribution of guidelines, and creation of jobs
• Techniques may be chosen to use materials that are readily available such as processed rubble,
concrete masonry units, sand, wire, plastics, fibers, crates, and/or corrugated metal sheets.
• Consider stable foundations to prevent flooding and appropriate roof and wall geometries/
reinforcement to minimize hurricane and earthquake damage
• Construction methods could be chosen based on cost and time constraints
• Transitional shelters may eventually be incorporated into reconstruction
• Phasing of construction is a possibility to allow residents to move in as soon as possible. Pre-
fabricated tents can be set up on foundations to provide flood proof shelter. The tent can become a
roof as walls are constructed underneath.
SITE SELECTION
SITE SELECTION MATRIX
Location
Size
Site Acquisition
Former Site Uses
Topography
Geological and Soil Conditions
Flood Potential, wetlands
Vegetation
Existing Utilities
Existing Transportation
Proximity to Relief & Services
Adjacent Property Uses
Table 1.1
The table provides a list of comprehensive questions and probes for appropriate site selection of a
transitional refugee community
Is the site located near to potential employment areas? What is the
condition of the existing buildings in the area? Is it near existing
gathering areas?
Does the site have the minimum amount of acres required for
development, but not too many acres? Can the site situate a minimum
amount of 10,000 people? Displaced people's gathering site should
be below 20,000.
What is the total cost of land? Who owns the land? Is land
ownership at the federal or communal level?
Will previous uses require additional development costs to mitigate or
in any way adversely affect the quality-of-life?
Is the slope rate under 25%? Are there any risks of landslides? Is the
land suitable for spaces for aid delivery, allowing for easy distribution
and queuing?
Will the soil conditions adversely affect on refugees? Does the soil
allow proper water drainage? How deep is bedrock below the site?
Ideally we want it to be under 8 feet. Is the site located within 25 feet
of any fault lines?
Is the site located in a floodplain? Does the topography have good
drainage? Could the site create a condition for the creation of ponds,
leading to malaria outbreaks?
Does the site possess desirable mature vegetation? What percentage
of the site is covered with vegetation? If not, is the site paved with
materials that have a low SRI (solar reflective index) that could result
in heat island effect?
Are city or county utilities present and available for use? How close
is the site to wells? Does the site have good drainage for waste? Is
there existing access to power?
Are existing roads in good condition? Can they handle both access
and impact of planned development? Do the roads allow easy access
to freeway or other major arterial roads? Is the site near ports or
airports? Does the site allow easy access for sanitation, freight and
emergency access vehicles?
Is the site located within acceptable travel distance for relief
organizations? Are there any clinics/hospitals located nearby? Is it
close to a supply distribution center? Are there any bases for
enforcement nearby?
What are the adjacent properties used for? Will placing this site
negatively affect surrounding neighborhoods?
SITE SELECTION

Criteria Rank Weight EX: Site 1

Location 3 5 15

Size 2 4 8
Site Acquisition 2 2 4

Former Site Uses 3 2 6

Topography 3 4 12

Soil Conditions 2 2 4

Flood Potential,
wetlands 3 4 12
Vegetation 2 2 4
Existing Utilities 3 5 15

Existing Roads 3 5 15

Proximity to
Amenities &
Services 3 3 9

Adjacent Property
Uses 2 2 4
Total Points 108

Table 1.2
The table shows the results of the matrix analysis of the
criteria of Table 1.1

KEYS

Rank Rank the site’s characteristics on a

scale of 1-3, 3 being the best.

Weight Assign a weight of importance on

a scale of 1-5, 5 being the most
important.

Site Score each site by multiplying the rank

by weight for each characteristic. The
max is 15 points.
SITE SELECTION

The number of Internally Displaced Settlements has continued to increase. These settlements consist
of several hundred makeshift tent structures that typically average seven people. While the number
of people varies per settlement, nearly 5,000 people reside on several scattered sites about the size of
a soccer field, roughly 73,000 square feet. Settlements should be formed near areas that have good
physical features and are easily accessible.

SITE 1

Site 1 has many of the ideal qualities

for housing internally displaced
persons. It is near two major roads,
the Mais Gate International Airport,
and the new UN Headquarters. The
site was previously zoned as an
industrial site major, resulting in
water utility lines being installed on
the property. Drainage and storm
water can be easily managed based
on the site’s higher elevation. The
one kilometer, or 10,763,910 square
foot, site is large enough to house at
least three communities.
 INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT Step 3 PATHS divide parcel into smaller ones and create a predestrian-friendly environment for public act

1. 2.
Step 2 LATRINES accessed from street for efficient and safe waste disposal, and from the inside by residen
Standard grid is used for infrastructure
Step 1 GRID used for infrastructural efficiency and adaptability to site conditions. LATRINES accessed from street for
TOILETS could be installed once infrastructure is in place.

efficiency and adaptability. efficient and safe waste disposal, and from
the inside by residents.

parcel
parcel

24 ft x 24 ft latrine
latrine/toilet

parcel

Step 4 PATIO created in the center to provide more space for out-door activities, such as cooking and gath

3. PATHS divide parcel into smaller ones and

4.
COMMON SPACE created in the center
tep 3 PATHS divide parcel into smaller ones and create a predestrian-friendly environment for public activity.
latrine/toilet

createfroma street
Step 2 LATRINES accessed pedestrian-friendly
for efficient and safe wasteenvironment
TOILETS could be installed once infrastructure is in place.
disposal, and from the inside by residents. to provide for outdoor activities, such as
for public activity. cooking
Step 5 ROWS created by removing and gathering.
redundant crosswise streets, creating a dense and intimate neighbourho

parcel

5. 6.
sewage
ROWS created by removing redundant LAYOUT provides a possibility for
tep 4 PATIO created in the center to provide more space for out-door activities, such as cooking and gathering.
latrine/toilet crosswise streets, creating an intimate gardens/crops and decentralizes spaces to
neighborhood. prevent
Step 6 LAYOUT provides gang
a possibility occupations.
for gardens/crops and decentralizes spaces to prevent gang occupatio
Step 5 ROWS created by removing redundant crosswise streets, creating a dense and intimate neighbourhood.

sewage

Step 6 LAYOUT provides a possibility for gardens/crops and decentralizes spaces to prevent gang occupations.
INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT

Grid Layout Option 1: Grid Layout Option 2:

Core infrastructure unit shared by six 18’ x 30’ Core infrastructure unit shared by six
parcels 24’x24’ parcels

PHASE 1 PHASE 2
Core infrastructure units constructed on foundation Core infrastructure units become incorporated
with utility lines shared by temporary homes. into building structures as development densifies.
INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT
In the following illustrations, we are PHASE
diagramming a suggested phasing 1 Main Access Roads
process for the establishment of Temporary Shelters
Utility Lines
transitional housing communities.

Phase 1, residents establish temporary

Staging Facility
shelters in addition to a staging
facility providing necessities such as: Main Utility Line
Food, Water, Medical Aid, Security, (under road)
PHASE
and Construction Materials. Primary 2
and secondary utility lines (electric,
water, sewer) will be laid followed by
main access roads.
Secondary Roads
Phase 2, residents will begin
Structural Foundation
setting the base foundation for their
transitional homes. Additionally, PHASE
secondary roads will be laid and 3
drainage will be incorporated to
prevent flooding and health problems.

Phase 3, residents will move shelters

onto base foundations and begin Shelters Transferred
back on to Foundation
construction of their transitional
homes. Homes will be organized
into units that will share a common
utilities access point for washing, PHASE New Residents
cooking, and waste management. 1

Transitional Housing
Once the first residents are housed, Share Utility Access
more residents will arrive and repeat
phases 1-3. Current residents who
have learned the building techniques PHASE Secondary Roads
will assist in guiding new residents 2
through the 3 phases.

A community is fostered through Structural Foundation

having residents guide one another.

“Create a Community, Through

Building a Community” PHASE
3
Shelters
Transferred back
to Foundation
INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT
As more residents begin living in PHASE
the community, the staging facility 1
will not be able to meet the growing Additional Facilities
demand for services. However, open
space surrounding the staging
facilities will allow for new services
to begin. These services will expand
upon what the staging facilities can Rubble Recycling
provide such as: Market Services
PHASE
2
• Rubble Recyclingv Additional Facilities
• Waste Management
• Basic Goods
• Religious Facilities
• Markets Church
• Community Centers Waste Management
• Counseling Centers
PHASE
• Schools
3
• Activity Space Additional Facilities
• Transportation Hubs
• Communications Access
etc.
School
Community Center

As the three phases are New Residents New Utility Lines New Staging Facility
repeated, more and more
residents will become
available for guiding
new residents in the
construction of their
homes. This exponential
growth of the block units
will eventually make
access to the staging
facilities to difficult. It is
proposed that as growth
exceeds accessibility,
new staging facilities be
constructed to continue
growth.
CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES
ROOF SYSTEMS
to minimize lift from
strong winds, roof slope
should be pitched on all
sides or approaches a
dome
to minimize lift from
strong winds, roof
slope should be about
30 - 50 degrees

WALL SYSTEMS

reinforced C or S-Shaped walls can

Concrete steel bars resist lateral forces
while acting as
Masonry Units stronger bearing walls
[CMUs]
They are also acting
CMU like columns

wood-frame

sand bags canvas or plastic tube

to hold the content
together
soil or sand can
provide cement like
strength

barb wire to keep the

tubes in place while
providing tensile
strength
Super Adobe Wall

Gabion units can be made

from wire mesh and filled
with crushed rubbles that
are widely available on site.
CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES
FOUNDATIONS

Floating Foundation helps to protect from

movement of soil, primarily from earthquakes gravel foundation
or afterschocks. This is recommended since
piling will require heavy machineries

Beer or soda crates are

turned upside down canvas or tarp can be used to

is on top. The crates palm leaves can be sand-

are durable and is able wiched inbetween the crates
and canvas to give softer
cushion

IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY
Meanwhile, the
parcels adjacent are
pre-fabricated tent is
layer of sand and layered with concrete
strong enough to resist
hurricane but has a gravel for initial floating foundation
light structure foundation

beer crate and canvas

foundation for the tent
is used

tent is converted to a concrete is

roof structure. The poured over
canvas or tarp can be the layer of
PHASE 1 fully enclosed sand and
gravel

walls, windows and a

door can be built when
more resources are
collected

Proper roof, possibly

PHASE 2 out of corrugated
When foundation has roof structure is
metal can replace the
been laid, the tents tent when needed
anchored securely to
can move in . More the foundation to
permanent settle- prevent lift
ments can occur.

PHASE 3
KEY QUESTIONS
SITE SELECTION

• How much open space is there in or on the outskirts of Port au Prince? Who are the owners or
stakeholders?
• Are there any large hazardous areas in the metro area? (For example, large bodies of stagnant
water, abandoned industrial sites, burning trash dumps, etc)
• After the earthquake, will there be centralized city services or should newly built communities plan
on finding their own utilities?
• How functional is sub-national governance from municipal or public agencies?
• Are Haitians looking to move into their old neighborhoods, into their current displaced person
camps, or into new housing facilities?
• What kinds of emergency/temporary housing are being created at present?
• What are the systems of coordination between government, aid agencies, and local leaders in
relocating and/or building housing?

INFRASTRUCTURE + LAYOUT

• What are the necessary utility lines?

• Which facilities can be shared, and which should be private?
• How will public transportation serve these communities?
• What are the standard dimensions for parcel area, street widths, etc?
• How can you ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place before homes are constructed?
• Can the infrastructure be upgraded later?
• Which services/facilities are prioritized first?
• How can infrastructure development pay for itself?

CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES

• What have other organizations done? What are their failures and successes?
• How can the structural instability of remaining structures be assessed and explained to tenants/
owners?
• What is the availability of labor and skills for construction?
• What materials are readily available for construction?
• What alternative materials (such as bamboo or palm husks) are feasible?
• Are the CMU production plants still operable? If so, what is their supply capacity?
• How can materials be secured on site during construction?
• What are the cost and time constraints?
• Should on-site electrical generation or water collection/purification be considered?
• How can guidelines be implemented/distributed which ensure safe reconstruction?
 Cornell’s Design and Planning Club is an interdisciplinary
academic collective aiming to bring together students and
faculty from various disciplines of Architecture, Planning,
Landscape Architecture, Art, Interior Design, Engineering,
Design and Environmental Analysis, Real Estate and beyond.

D+E|E+D is an multi-disciplinary independent student

D+E|E+D organization made of designers, engineers, planners and
activists that dedicates projects towards social change and
sustainabilty.

The International Planning Student Organization (IPSO) is a

graduate student forum for exploring international planning
issues. IPSO provides an opportunity to share research
ideas, discuss global planning issues, and work on projects
addressing the challenges of a changing world.

Design Connect strives to create long lasting partnerships

between students and neighboring communities. As an
interdisciplinary group, Design Connect students volunteer
their time on democratic and sustainable design and planning

The following students were involved in this work:Alix Gerber, Dimitri Siavelis,
Andres Mandoza, Borden Edgerton, Gwendolyn Ellman, Joseph Bonk,
Garret Halbach, Kim Wilczak, Barry Beagen, Chris Horton, Andrew Beele, Jonathan
Leape, Katie Bobroske, Juliana Fulton, Naomi Drucker, Carolina Acevedo, Laura
Huacvja, Carl Hansen, Josh Yost, Alan Huang, Bim Krumhansl, Rachel Kunreuther,
Declan Keane, Allie Gardiner, Andrew Buck, Karim Mourra, Frantz Seide, Reggie
Severe