[GSBN] Bales for Haiti

[Andrew Webb]

I agree, RT.  Something that often seems to get overlooked is the 
concept of "appropriate technology" - using technology that is simple to 
reproduce with local knowledge, skills, materials and equipment, 
effective for the situation and that costs what local people can afford 
without continued aid money (ie. being truly sustainable).  If they have 
a lot of rice straw in Haiti and given that they don't need high 
insulation values in the climate, would not cob or wattle and daub be 
more appropriate wall materials as they need less equipment? 

If not, providing a baling 'machine' is fine until it breaks down and 
needs parts.  The hand-press as in Pakistan is a good idea assuming it 
can be replicated from local materials easily - that would also give the 
opportunity to make thinner bales if they can be structurally adequate, 
as the insulation value of standard bales is not required.

I don't know, as I haven't been to the area - just some thoughts.

- Andrew


RT wrote:
>
> The "other" side wonders how appropriate SB-walled buildings might be 
> for that locale/climate and how the instant buildings might fit into 
> the culture, assuming that the structures are intended to have a long 
> service life beyond that of emergency shelters.
>