Rebuilding Traditional Houses After Disasters

The earthquakes of 2004 and 2005 did not only destroy housing structures in Nias Island, Indonesia. It devastated traditional villages which displayed the architectural heritage of the island.   

Thus, the Asian Development Bank, through the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Sector Project, assisted in the rehabilitation of 196 traditional houses in Nias Island. The project, aside from repairing or rebuilding the houses, preserved their essential architectural features while ensuring they are earthquake resistant. In addition, the rehabilitated houses were improved through better in-house sanitation and adding of living space.

However, the most significant feature of the project is the direct participation of the residents in the rehabilitation efforts.  The project, instead of using contractors for the construction, tapped the residents to rebuild and repair the traditional houses. This speeded up project implementation, facilitated materials procurement, and reduced the cost of rebuilding houses. It provided disaster-stricken residents much needed employment, and enabled them to have ownership and control in rebuilding their communities within a limited budget.

The project afforded the residents valuable benefits. They were able to ensure the future of the communities, improve the present state of the houses while preserving their cultural heritage by rebuilding the houses with earthquake resistant features, modern sanitation and design implements while keeping Nias’ architectural traditions. In addition, the project enabled the residents to rebuild not just the community but their own lives since the project generated much-needed jobs. They were given a sense of ownership and pride, because it was through their hands that their houses and their communities were rebuilt.