Architecture Week activities are no or low cost and we encourage public participation as well as those of you who work in the profession.

The week is an opportune time to make a request for donations toward the reconstruction effort in Asia and the Pacific following the recent natural disasters. Emergency Architects Australia has asked us to pass on a request for donations.

For more information about Emergency Architects Australia and to make a donation go to-

Emergency Architects Australia - Disaster Reconstruction Assistance

EMERGENCY ARCHITECTS INTRODUCTION

Emergency Architects sends experienced architects and other built environment specialists to disaster areas to work alongside aid agencies, local communities and governments, and funding institutions to rebuild devastated areas in a sustainable way. Together they develop appropriate and sustainable strategies for each phase of disaster relief. Emeregency Architects believes the construction of permanent rather than temporary structures, using local materials, delivers a faster long-term result.

A well planned inclusive but flexile disaster management plan with full knowledge of the extent of the environment and built fabric damage should be the first priority. A full understanding of the costs involved in the reconstruction is critical for forward planning and for requesting international agencies and central government for funds. All people have strong opinions about where they want to live and how they want to be involved in the reconstructions effort. All people directly affected should be involved in the reconstruction of their communities to avoid a 'victim mentality'. Lessons learnt form local building typologies are critically important for good reconstruction outcomes and better use of local materials. All projects are properly supervised during construction and correctly engineered especially large span structures such as schools. Training local people to know what to do in the event of a disaster is critical. Breakout areas and the distance and position of buildings relative to each other must be carefully planned.