DISASTER PREPARATION AND PLANNING FOR HAITIAN BUILDINGS National Hazard Resource Center

November 2010Université d'Etat d'Haïti

OBJECTIVES1. To establish a National Hazard Resource Center that will serve as a hub for education, training,

research and implementation on methods to reduce the risk and damage from natural disasters.2. To promote the adoption of national safe building standards for the design and construction of

resilient buildings and infrastructure.3. To provide specific support to Haitian educational institutions to reach out to the community for the

improvement of design, construction and quality control; and for the community to teach by example as they rebuild their primary, secondary and higher education facilities.

The earthquake of January 12, 2010 was a tragic demonstration of the importance of well-designed and constructed buildings for the safety of the Haitian people. The earthquake, that left an estimated 300,000 dead, as many injured, and 1.5 million homeless, was the latest of natural disasters that continue to haunt and stunt the development of Haiti. As the country begins to rebuild, it is critical that all new buildings are designed and built to minimize the repeat of these preventable tragedies. Leading organizations from the international building community, with active engagement of Haitian professionals, propose the development of a National Hazard Resource Center to provide a focal point for the development, dissemination and implementation of safe and sustainable physical development for Haiti.

THE CENTERThe National Hazard Resource Center will be an educational and technical assistance resource for the entire Haitian building and construction industry, including public and private universities, technical and vocational schools, national and local government agencies, the building industry and all citizens interested in a safe, healthy and sustainable built environment for Haiti.

The Center will serve as a unique resource for the Caribbean region in collaboration with other regional centers such as the Disaster Risk Reduction Center of the University of the West Indies. The Center will bring additional recognition and investment to the State University of Haiti, (UEH), and provide a vehicle for expanded interaction with the regional and international higher education communities. The Center will provide a common focal point for technical assistance related to building and urban development from outside Haiti and it will provide a common source for building science and technology for the entire country and region.

The Center itself will provide access to resources gathered from the following sources and others who wish to make information available:

• NationalInstituteofBuildingSciencesHaitiToolkit• EarthquakeEngineeringResearchInstituteLibraryandTechnicalSupport• Trainingmaterialsforbuildingprofessionals• InstituteforBuildingTechnologyandSafetyEnforcementResources

THE BUILDING AND GROUNDSThe National Hazard Resource Center will be a signature building on the new unified campus of the State University of Haiti. The Center will be housed in a building that accommodates its educational, research and communications functions and at the same time will demonstrate key principles of safe and sustainable construction.

Teaching Lab

Storage

Seminar Room 1Classroom1

Classroom 4

Classroom 3

Classroom 2Seminar Room 4

Seminar Room 3

Seminar Room 2

Storage Computer Room

Director’s Offi ce

Staff Offi ce

Staff Offi ce

Staff Offi ce

Storage

Admin Space

Library

LectureHall

Event / Multi-Use

Space

Lobby

Kitchen

Outdoor Garden / Pavillion

Support SpacesRestrooms

ITMechanical

StorageTrash/Recyling

Service / Deliveries

Public SpaceEducation SpaceOffice SpaceOutdoor SpaceSupport SpaceDirect RelationshipIndirect Relationship

THE CURRICULUMThe Center will offer a diverse curriculum of courses focused on various audiences. Professional courses for university students and continuing education of practicing professionals will focus on specific building types and respond to different hazard types. Technical and vocational training can provide hands-on experience for those entering construction trades. Outreach programs for the building industry across the country and for those in government and non-government agencies at the national and local level can be developed to support implementation of safe and sustainable building. Furthermore, curriculum components for primary and secondary students and public information on safety and sustainability of the built environment will be developed and delivered by the Center.

Training for building regulatory implementation will be a key area of course offerings—specifically focused on local governments. A multi-disciplinary research program in Engineering, Architecture, Physical Planning, Public Policy and Public Administration related to disaster risk reduction will be encouraged and supported by the Center.

SAFE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTIONEducation serves as the cornerstone of communities and represents the future of the Haitian people. An initial focus of the Center will be to support the safe and sustainable reconstruction of school buildings damaged or destroyed by the earthquake and to ensure the resilience of all existing and future school buildings in Haiti. A national program to ensure safe school buildings will provide tangible evidence and examples of disaster risk reduction for school children and the public at large. The Center will be positioned to provide technical consultation to the maintenance of school construction standards and their enforcement.

FUNDING AND TIMELINEUpon execution of necessary agreements between the State University and the participating organizations, the project is expected to take approximately 18 months for design and construction with fundraising to occur simultaneously. The estimated initial construction cost is $5,376,002. Annual operating costs are being determined but will vary depending on the scope of activities and the integration of the Center within the University structure. Funding from the private sector from the U.S., Haiti, and other countries will be sought to support design, construction, and the establishment of a foundation for ongoing operations.

Participating Organizations

National Institute of Building Sciences(www.nibs.org)

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (www.eeri.org)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (www.vt.edu)

Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners(www.asg-architects.com)

Haitian Architect (to be determined)

National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH) (www.noahhaiti.org)

Institute for Building Technology and Safety (www.ibts.org)

The State University of Haiti (UEH)(www.ueh.edu.ht) proposed

Funding Organizations (to be determined)

Haitian American Engineering Association (ADIHA) (www.adiha.org)

Witt Associates (www.wittassociates.com)

California Polytechnic State University(www.caed.calpoly.edu)

DISASTER PREPARATION AND PLANNING FOR HAITIAN BUILDINGS National Hazard Resource Center

November 2010Université d'Etat d'Haïti

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Proposed Building DesignWater Collection CisternPhoto Voltaic PanelsMulti-Purpose BuildingClassroom BuildingDrought Resistant PlantsConstruction Demonstration AreaPartial StructureWind TurbineRecycled MaterialsHurricane Shutters

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