The balance of the reconstruction in Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami of 26 December 2004 is mixed. On the one hand, there are exemplary, fully functioning reconstruction projects that find acceptance with the local population. On the other, however, hastily erected houses remain empty because future tenants were not consulted in the planning and building phases. "In the hinterland along the coast entire housing developments have been built where numerous houses remain empty," says Arnim Wiek from the ETH Institute for Human-Environment Systems, who knows the region along the Sri Lankan coast. He recently returned from his second 10-day research and consultative visit to the country.

New houses not lived in

The fact the new houses remain unoccupied has various reasons, say the experts. Mostly it is because those who should be living in them were not included and consulted in the planning and building phases, so local specificities were not taken into account. It is thus possible that the houses were built in the wrong place, or that the enclosures were wrongly planned or the functionality of the actual houses not adapted to the needs of the future tenants. "Acceptance is therefore lacking," sums up Wiek.

In the summary report of his most recent visit Wiek also writes that the reconstruction of houses and the infrastructure need to be more firmly embedded in the social fabric, the income possibilities and an intact environment, than has been the case so far.

Sri Lanka gets guidelines for reconstruction

This is also the wish of Sri Lanka's government. This led to the setting up, under the auspice of the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) and the Society for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), of an international team in which Arnim Wiek represents ETH Zurich. Working closely with relief organisations, international funding organisations and governmental representatives the team has scrutinised the possibilities of a sustainable reconstruction of the coastal regions and analysed them .

The results of these consultations have now concluded with new guidelines for reconstruction that take the aspect of sustainability into account in the programmes and include best-practice elements of good projects that have already been implemented. The relief organisations were also called upon to add their experience and expertise to the working out of the guidelines. As soon as RADA brings them into force, the guidelines will be subjected to a further review process in order to widen their acceptance even more, says Wiek.

Reconstruction in Sri Lanka after the tsunami: Good projects are to be held up as examples and used to obtain widely accepted standards. (Picture: A. Wiek) large

The new guidelines are to be applied to reconstruction efforts throughout Sri Lanka. They will guarantee that the community is at the centre of future building projects, because this is where the problems are felt most keenly. Apart from the building of houses and infrastructure, means of income shall be created and social networks are to be strengthened. In addition, the guidelines stipulate that the people whose lives are most effected have a say and that reconstruction must be holistically planned. Furthermore, as little stress as possible should be caused to the people and the environment.

This sounds good. But Wiek admits that putting the guidelines into practice is not that simple–despite widespread support. The basic idea is to inform and train all those involved, especially local administrators, starting in February. ETH is also taking part in this schooling programme. The first pilot projects subjected to the new guidelines will be launched in May.