Millions of rural families in the third world, face a severe housing problem. They live in homes that lack adequate sanitation, have an irregular electricity supply, and are built of flimsy materials. There are no easy solutions to the third world’s diverse housing problems because a lack of adequate shelter is merely one manifestation of generalized poverty. However, shipping containers would offer tremendous flexibility, for an outstanding clean, sleek, modernist design. At least 14 million used “ex-service shipping containers” are sitting in ports and shipping yards around the world.[1] I plan to design a home from repurposed materials using salvaged, recycled materials. Some of the features I want to add are, solar panels and battery systems, wind turbines, solar hot water, security systems, power managements systems and composting waste systems. All of these features can improve the sustainability and livability of this potential affordable housing alternative. In addition, the ease of installation and relocation, reduced construction time, and the cost-effectiveness will help grow an incentive toward developing green building concepts in future. It can be an ultimate example of reuse and recycle, not impeding the quality of the building providing sustainable building methods while ensuring the value of a new home.
A decent shelter for all can never be guaranteed so long as there is widespread poverty.[2] Without a proper shelter, families are condemned to poverty, poor health, and low education. The families lack security and are vulnerable to natural disasters. While national and international organizations have directed substantial resources toward poverty alleviation. They have paid little direct attention to improving the conditions in which families live and work.[3] The need for value driven homes is clearly visible for the rural families. In my opinion, solid steel rectangular cuboids can be the perfect building blocks for unique homes and can provide all the necessities for the poor and low-income households in rural areas. This design can be viewed as a valuable goal in and a critical ingredient in addressing the broader challenges of the rural slums.
[1] Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk, C. (2019, July 04). How many Shipping Containers are there in the World? Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.budgetshippingcontainers.co.u k/info/how-many-shipping-containers-are-there-in-the-world/
[2] Poverty housing – In the developing nations of the Pacific islands – World. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/poverty-housing-developing-nations-pacific-islands
[3] Poverty housing – In the developing nations of the Pacific islands – World. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/poverty-housing-developing-nations-pacific-islands