The places devastated by the recent landslides in Wayanad are also now a land of concrete debris. It is heartbreaking to see people wading through rain and mud in search of their loved ones. People and rescue workers are trying to break the concrete slabs with all the tools at their disposal. One thing is for sure: without the concrete, a few more lives could have been saved.
Only two concrete buildings remain standing here. These buildings, which survived the landslide, are often highlighted in articles and social media posts praising the resilience of their concrete structures to the natural disaster.
Consider alternatives
First of all, I want to make it clear that the buildings (seen here in the photos) cannot withstand the landslide. The raging waters did not harm the buildings because they were not directly in their path. This does not mean that we are against concrete. Concrete and steel certainly have their uses. These building materials, which require a significant amount of energy to produce, should be used wisely. These materials can be used to build high-rise buildings that can withstand earthquakes to a certain extent. However, for smaller structures, we should consider alternatives.
We are witnessing rapid climate change. Increasing heat is bringing natural disasters in the form of landslides, floods and earthquakes closer to us. Buildings with lightweight roofs and shatter-proof construction offer a greater chance of survival. Kerala, a seaside region, experiences significant rainfall and floods. Many of these disasters are man-made to some extent. By altering the natural flow of landfill in wetlands, raising or lowering ground levels or destroying natural slopes, we are inadvertently increasing the risk. When excessive water from these changes flows unchecked onto roads and other areas, we are contributing to the magnitude of these disasters.
When we claim that there are no quarries within a 10 km radius, we must acknowledge that nature does not obey our human limitations and records. The complexity of disasters cannot be fully captured by human calculations. Roads, quarries, buildings and other land developments should all be planned keeping in mind the natural flow of water. There should be regulations in place to ensure that during heavy rains, water is allowed to flow according to the natural slope of the land. This way, there would be proper drainage routes to allow water to flow freely through all properties. We must approach these measures with a sense of civic responsibility.
Responsible architecture
Now let’s move on to architecture. Eco-friendly building practices are often limited to simply plastering walls with clay or piling up stones and painting them brown. However, to implement responsible architecture, we must go beyond these superficial solutions. To achieve this goal, professionals in the field must work together, and we know that this is not an easy task.
Each of us should make certain decisions. I believe that if each individual starts making small changes, together we can change the world. Today we have access to digital surveys that provide detailed information about the site and the trees present. This means that we don’t necessarily have to cut down trees indiscriminately before constructing a building. We can create designs around valuable trees and incorporate them into our plans. We should also identify areas where new trees can be planted to replace those that cannot be saved.
Designing buildings in harmony with the terrain
A designer should consider the characteristics of the site when designing a building. For example, if the site is sloping, we must consider that excess water can flow from a higher site to a lower one. We must create pathways for the water to flow in and out. Instead of solid barriers, light fences or perforated walls can be used.
Our streets are not always designed according to natural gradients. The small street drains are designed to direct water away from the street. If every household directs excess water into these drains, the lower parts of the street will inevitably be flooded. This is exactly what is happening in many places today. Responsible design and planning should aim to prevent such problems by allowing natural water flow and incorporating appropriate drainage solutions.
Rethinking concrete
Concrete is often seen as the ultimate protection for our buildings. But in the face of natural disasters, traditional construction methods have proven resilient. For example, two-story buildings can be designed as load-bearing structures. The roof can be made of timber framing with tiles. When constructing buildings in environmentally sensitive areas, it is important to follow strict guidelines and use resources wisely.
Instead of building large, energy-intensive buildings that need constant air conditioning, we should consider sustainable alternatives. When we see such buildings, we are reminded of the saying: “The production of too many useful things leads to too many useless people.” We must learn to treat nature responsibly.
Everyone is responsible
The current situation was not caused by developing countries. Yet the need for a collective effort to reduce carbon footprints and curb global warming has never been more urgent. While we often think about the longevity of the buildings we construct, we must also consider whether these structures are contributing to the deterioration of our planet’s health. As the saying goes, “Nature is man’s inorganic body.” This profound environmental philosophy reminds us that our actions have a direct impact on the environment.
(The author is an architect and heads Bhoomija Creations, an institution that constructs eco-friendly buildings.)
