Nakaracia...(prt 2)

NAKARACIA HOUSE MODELS


Mataisau makes  Nakaracia model houses for presentation to the Minister of Local Government.

The Road to Nakaracia

The Nakaracia Project

Since the team formed, Mataisau is being involved in getting one of the PCN and ACHR major projects underway. This is a plan to create a new community through planning and subdividing a given piece of land for squatter settlers who are facing eviction to relocate to.  Through the process the community dwellers themselves are given the chance to design the given piece of land according to their preferences and plan their dream houses to be built on the land.

However the team tries to keep the design under a leash, with consideration to the building regulations and health and safety requirements and most importantly the budget.

The plans are revised taking the people’s ideas into consideration and then presented to the Government and local authorities for perusal and to seek for assistance in financing and advice.

Process using the idea of mapping

First the community dwellers are given some information on the land  including a map and they a given a chance to divide the piece of land themselves into their preferable plot size and the setting of their plots on a scaled map.

Then the idea of creating a community space is given, for them to decide where to include this in the land area.This community space include community halls, markets, health centers, bus shelters etc.

Group Presentation


After they have set up the layout of how they want their project to look like, they give a brief explanation to the
rest of the group.

 

This information is then compiled by the team and a final layout is

decided.

Final Layout

House Designs


Moreover the plans for the houses are presented to the people together with its affordability categories.  The people then decide on which house designs are suitable for them in terms of comfort and affordability and they are also free to give in suggestion on how to achieve a cheaper costs.

The house plans are designed to meet the lowest budget as possible with the structural integrity intact.

The house cost is put on board for discussion

The Models

Hugo elaborates on the models

After the models are presented the people take time to measure out how big the living space of the house is.

 

So far the people have agreed to the designs and cost of the house, but still the team awaits the approval of the design by the local authorities for the advancement of the project.

However, in regards to the time frame plan, the project is to start ground work in another five years time. Yet, while the project still far to proceed; the occupants of the new Nakaracia Community have efficient time to save up money for their house and land.

Here is how the funding of the project works out:

·         PCN negotiates land with the Land owner (in this case the Government) and secures land tenure for certain number of years.

·         PCN works with ACHR to design new settlement

·         ACHR works with the people to get their desired settlement

·         People pay PCN for the land and house

·         PCN pay land owner for lease

Moreover, PCN has successfully setup a saving scheme for the people to lighten the future financial burden and also PCN continues to seek for assistance from Government and other Donor agency to reduce cost to the project, and so far there has been a favorable response.

In fact the government has agreed to assist in the cost of public services to the new community. This includes water, electricity and sewerage services. The government was very pleased with the idea of Nakaracia Project and pledges its full support to get the project underway.   

The road to Nakaracia

Working with the Peoples Community Network

The Peoples Community Network coordinates most of the Mataisau work in Fiji. With the PCN main propaganda to empowering the people of Fiji, the Mataisau collaborates its operation with the PCN objectives of encouraging people’s participation in gaining secure land tenure and building better housing,  and to involve people on all major decisions and projects, by consulting them and inviting their active participation.

Mataisau involves itself through conducting the mapping workshops in communities. The purpose of such workshop is to let community members identify the layout of their community by drawing a map of their community and noting some problems and difficulties that the community face. After such process the community members find such ways in trying to solve such problems. However the Mataisau offer technical support and advice.

Moreover, Mataisau assists PCN in squatter projects such as planning of low cost homes and planning of new settlements and communities where some squatter settlers are to relocate to.

Name: Ben Vakaloloma

Profession: Works with PCN as a Community Survey Coordinator and Analyst 

Role: Mataisau Field Coordinator 

Connection to the Asian Coalition of Housing Rights (ACHR)

As ACHR is one of the main reasons of this team’s existence, the organization contributes enormously to their operations in Fiji.

Not only does ACHR provides funding, which includes the running of this blog, but also provide Technical Support from professionals around the world. They come to visit Fiji occasionally to see the progress of the works and give on field advice.

The Mataisau are indebted to the following Architects from ACHR for their mentoring and technical support.

Name: Hugo Moline

Profession: Architect ( Milkcrate Unlimited)

Country: Australia

Role:  ACHR Regional Coordinator, Mataisau Head mentor

Name: Chawadnad Lusang

Profession: Community Architect (ACHR)

Country: Thailand

Role: Mataisau mentor

Name: Anna Russell

Profession: Architect

Country: New Zealand

Role: Mataisau mentor

For more information on the Asian Coalition Housing Rights (ACHR), please follow the link below.

http://www.achr.net/

History

The team was borne after a presentation from Hugo Moline an Australian architect working for the Asian Coalition of Housing Rights (ACHR), in a design class at the Fiji National University.

After his presentation on some of the work of ACHR around the world, Mr. Moline opened the invitation to the class of architect students willing to join him in his work in Fiji.

However, one of the architect students found the work interesting and thought of this as an opportunity to use his abilities to help those who are in desperate need.

After the first student contacted Mr. Moline he got another of his classmate to join in the work. After a while the work seemed to intensify so they got in another classmate.

Thus the Mataisau team was formed. 

Meet the Team

Name: Norani Tubuna
Role : Director and Liaison
Joined: 14th March 2011

Name: Apenisa Tora
Role: Idealist and Advisor
Joined: 14th March 2011

Name: Hanisetoka Manueli
Role: Chief Technician
Joined: 2nd July 2011