Efficient Housing

Squatters
...that's what they're called
...not 'informal settlers'
...no sugarcoating allowed

You can't just ask them to pack up their belongings and leave
...because you have something planned for that area they live in
...why not give them something first
...before asking them for something in return?


Let's give them a decent place to live in
...a place they would be proud to live in
...a place that allows them to hold on to their dignity

Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

Create a condo-style housing project to house the poor
...it could range from 20-50 floors
...depending on population size
...perhaps an entire barangay of squatters could be housed here
...the size of the unit to be given would depend on the size of the family or group to use it

Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

OPERATION

The Chairman of the Barangay would be the one responsible for all the tenants
...only current squatters are allowed to live in the housing project
...no new tenants from other places / provinces are allowed
...this would prevent the population from growing unnecessarily


It will be the tenants' job to make sure there are no squatters or would-be squatters to take over the land they have vacated.


The Chairman and other officials would live in the project
...to maintain order in the community more easily


Qualifications of potential tenants
...must contribute labor/other? during construction of project
...must currently live in the squatter area where the project is to be built
...must agree to be employed by the city where the project is located


Pedicab drivers:
...if you drive a pedicab, you have to surrender your pedicab if it's in poor condition
...tenants who run pedicabs must agree to operate within zoned streets only
...to prevent clogging of busy streets
...they must also be employed by the city
...your pedicab will be given an ID number that is assigned by the housing project you live in
...they must park their pedicabs in the housing project when not in use
...flat rate for fares (no price gouging)


Housing Project will have a Drinking Water business
...this will help pay for operating costs
...water will be delivered by pedicab personnel
...this will serve surrounding businesses
...and residences

Click on the picture to see a bigger version.

These pics were taken from here.

CONSTRUCTION

The inside of the building would be hollow
...to allow air to circulate more freely
...to allow tenants to hang their laundry
...instead of hanging them on the outer side of the building
...where it's visible





The open-aired hallways would also have planters
...so people could put plants that hang on the inside walls
...the plants will help clean the air inside the building


A portion on each floor would be used as a garbage chute
...this should only be for 'foodstuffs' and non-recyclables
...recyclables should be taken to the bottom floor
...for sorting


A portion of the top floor would be used as water collection unit
...let's take advantage of the 6-month rainy season
...and collect as much rain-water as possible during that time
...and it would be filtered and purified
...so it can be used by the tenants
...it will hopefully save on the utility bills


A community laundry area on every 3 floors
...it would be open air
...with faucets and tiled counters
...free to use by all


2 elevators


Portion of ground floor to be used for:

Sorting and Recycling trash
...to be taken to recycling centers for credit
...no cash

Playground for the children
...so they're not on the streets

Free clinic
...staffed by nurses who are in need of work exp
...free condoms


The tenants in these housing projects are going to be employed
...by the city where the housing project is located
...picking up trash, and sorting recyclables
...cleaning up streets and sidewalks
...they are going to be taking jobs that help clean up the surroundings


The future tenants would also be used as manual labor
...during construction of the housing project


Miscellaneous:
...construction of project to use labor and materials from local businesses
...ground floor up to 2nd or 3rd floor to be leased for commercial purposes
...rent goes to the city,
...potential users of vacant land to employ tenants of project
...the City will charge a percentage of the profit to be earned by the developers who will use the vacated land (1%?)
...this percentage will go towards sustaining the housing project

Positive Points to Ponder:

...more efficient handling of squatters
...minimal footprint used, freeing up a lot of land
...squatters retain sense of humanity and dignity
...more environmentally friendly
...more efficient handling of waste
...more efficient use of utilities (less pilferage)
...give nursing students work experience
...squatter tenants are employed to CLEAN surroundings (not dirty them)




I think the perfect pair to spearhead this project would be Noli De Castro and Bayani Fernando.



Improvements, additions, and possible snags in the concept are most welcome.