“Can we afford to neglect cultural appropriateness in providing affordable

housing”
Article, February 2019
Summary

Submitted by | Anjun Sharmi, 16104017

This paper reports on some initial findings of a larger study related to the doctoral dissertation of
one of the authors, that looks into ways to improve the quality and cultural acceptability of
affordable housing projects in Bali while the population is increasing.

Bali has a unique culture, with its traditional architecture. Bali is declared living museum by the
Dutch. In short, it became the center of tourism in Indonesia, developing major hotels and
airport. With flourishing economy, population increased in Bali, the housing for the population
without destroying the shape of culture is to be dealt, being both affordable and appropriate. This
can be challenging for a third world country. “Urban Villages” concept developed to tackle this
situation. A public housing with minimum cost is beneficial.

Importance of cultural value in affordable housing provision

The average Balinese holds strong cultural values, even when it is for housing. This influences
the affordable housing to be more accurate. This has to be issued and possible. Their cultural
appropriateness needs to be integrated into housing planning and provision. Greater efficiency in
the delivery of affordable housing of higher quality and cultural acceptability to meet the needs
of urban poor is the purpose

House and it’s meaning for Bali People

This is to understand what houses are perceived by Balinese. Different social groups have
different house types such as Umah, jero, Puri and Grya. Each has different facilities, sharing
capacities. Houses has also role of performing ceremonies. So the houses are not just for
dwelling, but also for culture and social construction. Its is the key to categorize social grouping
or kinship. The Balinese believe that houses have head, body and feet and a soul, based on
Hinduism Tat Twam. the process of building has different ceremonies in different stages. Also,
space has multiple values and sacredness. Mountain ward Kaja is the most sacred of them all.
This direction is where the way they sleep, pray. the opposite direction is Seaward direction
Kelod. The second sacred direction is Towards sunrise, Kagin and opposite to that is Kauh. So
Balienese Houses are designed keeping the directions in mind. It also has inner courtyards
called.Natah for ritual acts. Mountains were sacred and the opposite, seabeach was profane.

Affordable housing preserving Bali’s Cultural Value

Cultural traditions are reflected in housing and home activities of Balienese Houses.
The results of the survey were, Application of the concept of “sacred“ and “profane“ areas.
Zoning the praying place in between sacred area while the kitchen and inner court area were in
profane area. Also for orientation and circulation, arrangement of furniture that maintained
sacred direction.

Balinese Traditional Architecture

Building layout is mostly square or a set of squares while the height is less than a coconut tree
(15metre). The elevation should have identifiable Head,body,foot provisions. The house and gate
itself is ornamented.

But survey observation The Head, body, foot was indistinguishable. Public facility was
insufficient and there were absence of ornamentation and decoration. Additionally, there were
poor garbage disposal management

Developer’s constraints
Interviews were taken for better understanding of Developers constraints to meet the criteria. The
findings were private and private-public partnership ventures, public and cooperative.
On the other hand the Natural Operation were Formal and Informal Housing Projects.

Investigation Indicators were

Governmental Support, Design Team Capability, Promise of Preservation of Bali Culture and
creating awareness, Creating room for community engagement.

In short, Bali’s lively culture needs to be preserved. It not only makes sense in terms of heritage
conservation and the right of the Balinese to express their culture, but it also makes good
economic sense in terms of tourism potential. Numerous cultures throughout history have
displayed strong connections to nature through their architecture,so Bali ‘s culture needs to be
preserved while designing affordable housing.