Santo Community Development Plan

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Phase 4 under way | annehake

Thu, 2012-03-29 06:02

March 27, 2012

This was the second day of setting out the first 14 lots and houses in Phase 4. Four AFH staff along with Habitat engineers were on-site both days to do the measurements and staking. We will continue next week to finish marking out the first 35 houses in the northern part of the site. Phase 4 will include a total of 100 lots and houses, along with amenities.

Engineers constructing the house footprint formwork

Block 11 with lots and houses marked out

Residents who moved in in February have started to personalize their homes and lots. Gardens and natural fences have started to grow, and shops have opened up.

Carter Work Project and Haven Build It Week | darrengill

Thu, 2011-11-10 07:22

Presently several hundred volunteers are on site finishing the construction of 100 homes as part of the 2011 Carter Work Project . Progress has been swift with roofs and porches going on today and tomorrow. The volunteers were joined on site by President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, as well as Garth Brooks and many more enthusiastic builders. In an unprecedented move, the Carter Work Project will return to Santo next year to continue the work. Congratulations to all involved!

progress on site during the 2011 Carter Work Project

Last week 350 Irish volunteers took part in Build It Week with the Haven Partnership . 50 homes were enthusiastically finished in 5 days. Photos of the completed homes and the teams involved are on Haven’s Facebook page .

a few members of the Haven team during Build It Week

The water points and physical infrastructure will start going in next week and the hope remains for the first residents to be able to move in by Christmas.

Master Plan Complete | darrengill

Thu, 2011-11-10 05:59

Following months of consultation and design review the Santo Community Development Plan is now complete. The drawings, documents and reports are currently being compiled and will be posted in the files section shortly.

The Master Plan is a series of recommendations designed to facilitate the orderly growth and development of the community. There are aspects of the plan which require further input from the future homeowners but moreover, the plan must be able to adapt over the next 12 months and be modified around the aspirations of the community. Following the construction of Phase 1 a formal review of the Master Plan is recommended to assess its performance and make improvements where identified. The information, opinions and advice of the community has directly steered the design of the plan and the formation of the program. This level of dialogue and engagement has been central to the community led design process and must continue through implementation. The involvement of homeowners in the construction of their homes will also help to reveal aspects of the design which should be modified. This must be an open and fluid process. The vision for this community as expressed through the design charrettes is to achieve a viable, appropriate, planned and sustainable community grounded in the realities of Haiti but with improved standards of housing, living, safe durable construction and local community interaction. This will be accomplished by focusing on permanent homes, ownership, functional infrastructure (water, roads, drainage, sanitation, waste, area lighting), community infrastructure (schools, recreation, worship) and economic opportunities (markets, commercial areas).

Construction has begun on the first 150 homes with a full build out of up to 500 homes, the physical infrastructure and community infrastructure will hopefully be complete by the end of 2012. At this time not all the funding for the full build out is secured, however, fundraising is ongoing and it is expected that the additional funding required can be leveraged based on the generous support of the existing funders.

It is the hope of all parties involved in this project to realize the recommendations proposed here and to see the community of Santo flourish over the coming years as part of a regional plan for the territory.

Santo Breaks Ground, Sept 15, 2011 | darrengill

Tue, 2011-09-20 06:13

Joined by funders, partners and members of the local community the Santo Community Development Plan broke ground last Thursday, September 15, 2011.

A humble gathering under a tent in the middle of a construction site was present to celebrate an important moment in the reconstruction of Léogâne and Haiti. The Santo Community Development Plan is the largest permanent reconstruction project in the region worst affected by the 2010 earthquake. A collaboration between the Municipality of Léogâne, Habitat for Humanity, Architecture for Humanity and Haven, the project will create an urban infrastructure to support the settlement of a starter home village, schools, health facilities, recreation and community spaces as well as opportunities for commercial development.

The multi-year Santo project is being funded through the generous support from the Inter-American Development Bank-Multilateral Investment Fund; Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties (SHO)/ Cordaid – Netherlands; SAP AG; African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration—Lott Carey; Minuto de Dios; Urban Zen Foundation/New York City Housing Authority; Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (COINS and Jersey Overseas Aid Commission); Diageo Foundation; Progressive Haitian American Organization; Deerborn Charitable Trust, First Institutional Baptist Church; and Ocean Reef Foundation.

The mayor of Léogâne, Santos Alexis, and Willio Latagnac, President of the Montpelier Community Association, expressed their gratitude to all involved in bringing this project to realization.

U.S Ambassador Merten and Mark Andrews, Vice President of Haiti Recovery within Habitat for Humanity International praised the local community for their active role in the project and the design process over the last year.

A passionate speech from Marie Veronila Antoine, one of the future residents, endorsed the project and powerfully stated that “nothing can stop this project now, except for the grace of God.”

Though not personally present, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter articulated his enthusiasm and excitement about the Carter Work Project which in an unprecedented move will focus on the Santo project for two years. President Carter and a team of several hundred volunteers will work alongside residents this November to build the first 150 homes.

With 140 foundations already in the ground the ceremony had a palpable reality to it. Work on site in progressing swiftly and the first 150 homes together with the physical infrastructure should be complete by the end of November with residents moving in before Christmas.

Architecture for Humanity have been working on this project since November 2010 as planners and through a community led design process on the design of the physical and social infrastructure. A full range of focus groups, community charrettes, presentations, discussions an dialogue have governed the design of the plan and the project is being tracked publicly online via the Open Architecture Network.

COMMUNITY MEETING MAY 12, 2011 | darrengill

Sat, 2011-05-14 14:27

COMMUNITY MEETING MAY 12, 2011

This meeting was held on site in Santo at the Montpelier Community Building and attended by approximately 100 members of the local community from Santo and chaired by Willio (Montpelier Community Association). Darren Gill and Jean René Lafontant (Architecture for Humanity) presented the Framework Plan which was designed and recently completed in response to the Community Vision exercise presented by the local community. The following is a summary of the discussion/questions and solutions proposed by the community:

The Community Vision plans all called for public parks and playgrounds. How will these be managed/maintained?

The community will form a committee responsible for their upkeep. Several people volunteered for this. These spaces should be overlooked by several homes. Small areas are easier to maintain.

The importance of agriculture was repeatedly raised during the Focus Groups/Design Charrette. Every home will have space for private agriculture but who will organize the public agricultural areas?

The Planters Association already does this and want to continue in this role.

The Framework Plan includes a variety of options for public/shared/private courtyards. What is the preference or what level of ownership will be most widely accepted?

Each home needs its own private land and the courtyards should be shared by families around them but mostly not public. Some public activities can be included in areas.

In addition to the public market how should other commercial activity be organized. Will people operate out of their homes or do they want a separate commercial building/area?

Separate commercial area would be good but most people operate from or near their homes. [Approximately 5-10% of those in attendance run their own businesses]. The idea of a business group/chamber of commerce was floated to address the organization of these issues.

Homeowner Selection and Housing

Rachel McIlroy and Neil Alexis (Habitat for Humanity) outlined the current status of this process, some of the concerns relating to jobs and the work about to commence on the test build home.

DESIGN CHARETTE: COMMUNITY VISION APRIL 13, 2011 | darrengill

Fri, 2011-04-15 07:12

DESIGN CHARETTE: COMMUNITY VISION APRIL 13, 2011

This session was held at the Faculte des Sciences Infirmieres de Leogane (FSIL)and attended by approximately 100 members of the local community from Santo. The session was facilitated by SODADE. Through a variety of interactive exercises, heated debate and drawing the community began to express their vision for the village of Santo. These plans will be compiled by Architecture for Humanity and a framework plan presented back to the community as a representation of their vision.

A full report and photos are now available in the Files Section. Below are some videos highlighting the activities of the Charette.

Willio, President of the Montpelier Community Association presents the views of the community with regard to environmental issues in the area:

A very proud example of the mental mapping exercise:

Debate and discussion over one of the community vision maps:

Presentation of one of the Community Vision Maps:

FOCUS GROUP 5: HOUSING - LIVING MARCH 30, 2011 | darrengill

Tue, 2011-04-12 08:45

FOCUS GROUP 5: HOUSING - LIVING MARCH 30, 2011

This session was held at the Habitat Resource Center in Leogane and attended by 27 members of the local community from Santo and chaired by Sabine Malebranche (SODADE). The following is a summary of the discussion and solutions proposed by the community:

1. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

People live in tents

The heat is unbearable, the cold also

The houses are joined together under the tarps (10 persons).

Rain is an aggravating factor because the tents do not protect: When it rains, the ground is flooded / no drainage / agricultural land

In addition to the rain / high winds also cause problems

2. WATER:

Water is not really accessible - 5 minutes walk, but the crowd close to the fountains make distribution difficult and also a problem of quality of water available.

Drinking water from the NGOs is difficult to find because of the expectation and the number of people (demand). Canal water is regularly used instead.

The water comes from groundwater. They are operated with pumps without control.

Previously water was provided Leogane Mapou / Buissonnier . Now by the artesian wells

3. SANITATION & WASTE:

Latrines "28 mouths" are not well managed

No space for waste: people burn their trash / garbage dumps

Not conducive to public toilets

Need a community wide waste management strategy.

4. ELECTRICITY:

The current is not generally available and most people use an illegal supply or private transformer.

Safety concern of the tent

5. EMPLOYMENT:

Farmers need training in the transformation of products to increase their value, eg. jam, yogurt, cheese

Would like to set up a cooperative to help find material for these products, eg jars and distribute to the supermarkets

Poultry houses would also be a good addition

SOLUTIONS / PROPOSALS:

Each home should contain one master bedroom, one dining room and one toilet.

The community must be able to live together

The land does not flood very much but the houses should be raised as precaution.

The vision is of an autonomous community which acts as a model for other communities

Should hold a educational workshop to train community members to live together well and how to maintain their homes

The community should establish a communication/supervision committee to inspect homes, maintenance, uphold civic education and the waste management strategy.

Should include areas for public life and recreation

FOCUS GROUP 4: SOCIAL MARCH 30, 2011 | darrengill

Tue, 2011-04-12 08:35

FOCUS GROUP 4: SOCIAL MARCH 30, 2011

This session was held at the Habitat Resource Center in Leogane and attended by 27 members of the local community from Santo, representatives from Mercy Corps, and chaired by Addly Celestin (SODADE). The following is a summary of the discussion and solutions proposed by the community:

1. POPULATION:

Young population / Not too many deaths

Majority of young people living under tarps / laxity in manners

Since the earthquake, the birth rate has increased – in some cases 13-14 girls are becoming mothers at a very young age.

Prostitution has increased considerably after the earthquake

2. EDUCATION:

Across the 10 communal sections, there are very few schools. There is a lack of National Schools. Most schools are Semi Congregational or private.

There are increased problems with juvenile delinquency after the earthquake.

The education system must be redesigned / New School Thinking for a young population.

There are no National Schools in the Santo area (School Labadie )

Many children at Santo do not attend school and are idle due to a lack of facilities

After the primary school, students form Santo must go to Leogane or Port-au-Prince

Difficult to access the schools to Santo - Darbonne or Leogane are preferred locations for access to school

3. HEALTH:

Lack of quality health center / Reference

Disease and malnutrition are serious concerns

There is a failure to provide assistance to the elderly

Very high malnutrition in the population and especially among children

Cholera is broadly under control

4. RECREATION / SPORTS:

There is an existing football/sports area but it needs to be renovated and lacks structures

No groups leisure or recreation facilities in the area

A cinema would be great.

No reference library in the area. Would be good to create the desire for this kind of entertainment which is missing after earthquake

No cyber café or internet access.

Land should be available to serve as a playground.

Mercy Corps explained their psycho-social programs – focussed on youth development but also adult support – should be integrated into a community center in Santo.

5. ART & CULTURE:

RARA is a Vodou belief linked to rhythm - emotional release - strong psychological effect / belief. Widely practiced and unique to Leogane region.

There is no RARA at Santo where more traditional worship is practiced.

Need to improve economic benefits/job creation associated with RARA and promote to international attention.

Five years since the intervention of the state

Worship – Christian Churches (Protestant), Voodoo (Peristyle) and Mosque present in the area.

6. HISTORY & NATURE:

Lakou Lambert: peristyle (zone mystical story)

Existing mystical tree

Santo and Sarbousse were 2 zones separated by an old colonial wall

Mill on Sarbousse (no longer functional)

Below is a short extract from the discussion about educational issues, specifically focusing on access to education and the many children in the area that cannot attend school.

FOCUS GROUP 3: INFRASTRUCTURE MARCH 30, 2011 | darrengill

Tue, 2011-04-12 08:31

FOCUS GROUP 3: INFRASTRUCTURE MARCH 30, 2011

This session was held at the Habitat Resource Center in Leogane and attended by 7 members of the local community from Santo, representatives from Haiti Water and the IFRC, and chaired by Rolf Louis (SODADE). The following is a summary of the discussion and solutions proposed by the community:

1. ROADS:

Roads exist but they are in very poor condition with

No indications of panels

Lack of drainage and bridges

The road is dirt and wide enough for two (2) cars but there are no sidewalks.

No street lighting

Secondary roads are very narrow

Accidents – not very frequent on the main road but on more common on secondary roads due to lack of signs and poor visibility due to dust

2. COMMUNICATION:

The inhabitants of Santo are not overly concerned about communication

Teleco has never existed in the area

Must pay to recharge mobile phones

3. ELECTRICITY:

The EDH network exists but supply is rare – only 2-6 hours per day

The majority of the population has a 'Hold' Connection (informal)

Approximately 10% of the population have a meter

Some use either a generator or inverter

4. WATER:

Before January 12, 2010 the water quality in Santo was already doubtful, but now it's even worse.

Existence of a former tank at Sabouze

Tips (small charge) to pump at the well are not practical for everyone.

The networks of pipes were almost destroyed (they think has to redo the network)

The bladeurs not enough people to supply water

Water provided by the NGOs is not potable, free but not reliable but thanks to the Red Cross they manage to make it drinkable

Could use water from the river but not sure of quality.

A well exists in the black water locality.

5. SANITATION:

At the river people dump debris

Poor management of sewage

No controls on the latrine by NGOs.

Failure to meet standards in the construction of toilets.

The Red Cross have project involving a latrine for each family - apparently this is a long-term plan – there is a serious existing problem.

As a suggestion they want to have a village with all facilities.

HAITI WATER:

Attended and made the following comments:

The quality is fairly good

It is uncertain how black and grey water is managed

They propose a rehabilitation of networks since it exists.

They advocated close collaboration with DINEPA

FOCUS GROUP 2: ECONOMY MARCH 23, 2011 | darrengill

Thu, 2011-03-31 10:48

FOCUS GROUP 2: ECONOMY MARCH 23, 2011

This session was held at the Habitat Resource Center in Leogane and attended by 10 members of the local community from Santo and chaired by Stéphania Robert (SODADE). The following is a summary of the discussion and solutions proposed by the community:

1. MARKETS:

3 Markets in the Area: Chatule in Leogane, Dufort, and Darbonne

Chatule is the largest but it is not structured and even takes place on the street. Large variety of produce from PAP / DR etc. Previously located near the church but was moved to Santa Rosa

Dufort is a well organized market

Darbonne has recently relocated generating traffic and litter problems (Note – Darbonne market will soon be renovated apparently)

Santo needs a market as the others are too far away

The street is in poor condition so the products get dirty from the dust

The prices are generally affordable

Santo supplies to the Darbonne Market.

2. INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES:

Agriculture is the main activity and most people live off the sale of agricultural products.

Leogane is famous for suger cane and the only area in Haiti producing red sugar. Also produce peas & cherries

Women are engaged mainly in trade

Presence of house transfer, bank (Sogebank, Socabank)

Microcredit is available at Darbonne, another to Dufort

Beauty Studio – but there is a lack of money for the operation and frequently the customer does not pay

Motorcycle Taxi is a revenue source but there’s no route which creates insecurity)

Rara generates money by selling drinks, food.

3. SOCIO-PROFESSIONAL & TRADES:

Trades active in Santo are : masonry, carpentry, cabinet making

Problem – no Vocational School in Leogane – youth must move to PAP for this training.

There are artists who work stone, paper mache, music and painting.

3. SOLUTIONS / PROPOSALS:

There should be a structured market with trestles to reduce shoplifting

Need henhouse

Microcredit is not well understood – need training/seminar.

A Cooperative Agricultural Bank would help farmers.

Training for farmers / women in the recovery of land

Processing Plant for jelly / jam, corn / flour, grain, mamba, dairy - no need to purchase the equipment

Training to help the community: Vocational Schools, mechanic, driver, plumbing, tailor, beauty studio, cosmetology, nursing

FOCUS GROUP 1: ENVIRONMENT MARCH 23, 2011 | darrengill

Mon, 2011-03-28 12:17

FOCUS GROUP 1: ENVIRONMENT MARCH 23, 2011

This session was held at the Habitat Resource Center in Leogane and attended by 9 members of the local community from Santo, a representative from CARE, and chaired by Marc Roger (SODADE). The following is a summary of the discussion and solutions proposed by the community:

1. RISK / DANGER IN THE COMMUNITY:

FLOODING

There are 3 rivers in the area: The Rouyanne, The Romance (canal) and Cormiers but the Santo area is generally protected from flooding.

Rouyanne is a serious threat to Leogane and has destroyed road infrastructure and killed many people in the past.

The period of threat is April/May

The Romance Canal - there is 1 watershed control in the area – the Hazel Door built in 1956 - which is silted up and badly needs to be repaired/controlled. Valves, pipes and gate are no longer effective but not affected by the earthquake. Water should not flow to the left and the bridge must not be obstructed. It is now considered a local flooding threat. This needs an urgent response.

Must strengthen the work already initiated to better manage the Romance.

Other water sheds across the region should also be addressed.

There is no drainage channel on the streets to drain the water.

CYCLONE

Except for some fragile habitats there is less damage in the plain.

The hills are cleared and eroded causing a drainage problem in rainy season which causes landslides.

Solutions to deforestation: reforest with fruit trees, forest trees, bedding.

SEISMIC

Huge risk due to construction standards. 90% of buildings in Leogane were destroyed.

All new buildings must be seismically resistant.

The soil is a lot weaker and not good for cultivation after the landslides that occurred during the earthquake.

FIRE

2 fires in living memory – not a major risk.

POLITICAL UNREST

Sometimes political tension leads to programmed and planned fires (burning tires for example).

The tarps have created a dangerous post disaster lifestyle.

Economic insecurity is also a contributing factor.

2. VULNERABILITY / PERSONAL EFFORT:

VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATINS AND FACILITIES

Creating voluntary associations /scouts to address the environmental vulnerability, rescue and disaster.

Where to bring people who are rescued? There is no refuge in case of disaster. Have equipment but no facilities and a lack of support from state and local authorities across the 13 communal sections.

There is a lack of health facilities which must be addressed through at a civic level and through mutual respect.

CIVIC EDUCATION

"In order to help, you must know how to help." Each individual who lives in the community does not know what to do in each area. The obligation to help requires Civic Education

There should be a School of Citizenship to explain the the role of society: how to help others and How can we make spaces less vulnerable.

Must teach civics at school to educate what to do about vulnerability and thus develop: The sense of community ( how to do what we have to do), respect for the Flag / Civics to reduce risk behaviors, an understanding of collective behavior, an understanding that accidents are caused by anti-social behavior

Must control informal trade – who sells what – and restore the authority of the state to reduce the vulnerability of places to live.

Must control traffic, regulate infrastructure and educate the community to restore the principals and reduce the risk of road traffic.

3. POPULATION GROWTH / HABITAT / VULNERABILITY:

URBAN GROWTH

Léogâne / SANTO is a victim of urban growth as it is a privileged shelter after the earthquake

Santo in particular was a victim of growth because it is land belonging to the state.

Population growth and increased pregnancies since the earthquake have compounded this.

Increased density under tarps makes the population vulnerable

ECONOMICS

Many people were decapitalized as a result of the earthquake

This has increased the vulnerability of the population

MORAL VALUES

The earthquake and current living conditions (physical and economic) resulted in the degradation of moral values.

Ramp Cafes and prostitution have increased since the earthquake . /li>

Must reduce the vulnerability through civic education and people must learn not to abuse people and not to exploit the misery and problems of people

4. SOLUTIONS AND PROPOSALS:

PHYSICAL – how to build the new community of Santo:

The irrigation canal must be protected.

Protect residential areas from floods and earthquakes. Living spaces must be safe and comfortable

Protect and preserve agricultural areas. Must combine / articulate habitat and agriculture

Infrastructure / planned community will provide the attitude / environment.

SERVICES – to provide integrated community development:

Hospital / health centers (with beds)

Leisure center / space for games and sport

Fitness center

Reading enter

School / basic school (9 classes)

Auditorium and meeting places for training and seminars

Public parks, green / recreational areas to reduce crime and enhance recreation for children

Projects expected to be supported and financed by the State: vocational school (planned) and seismic construction (planned)

SOCIAL / PSYCHOLOGICAL

Communities must respect religion / code of ethics and control their free will

Civic principles must be established by the State and local authorities including laws on how to live in the community and regulate community life.

Community social education must reconstruct the mentality of the people

Below is a short extract from the discussion about environment and risk, specifically focusing on roads and transport.