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Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP): Designing Resilient Coastal Communities for the Marginalized Fisherfolk Low-Cost Housing and Community Development for Climate Adaptation 1. Introduction & Background of the Study India is the world's second-largest aquaculture nation and the third-largest fisheries producer. The socio-economic condition of fishers in India is extremely challenging. Many fishers live in inadequate housing conditions that lack basic amenities. Across the Indian coastline, there are 3,477 marine fishing villages distributed among 9 coastal states and union territories of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar, with the last two being island territories. The marine fishermen population in India is 37,74,577 out of, 14.9% are in Kerala. The majority of marine fisherman households in India live in pucca houses (69.7%), with the rest living in kutcha houses (30.3%). About 59.3% of the houses have a toilet facility and 51.6% of fishermen's households are supplied with tap water. Nearly 93.8% of the households have electric power. At national level, 66% of the eligible marine fishermen population have primary or higher-level education while 34% of them are unschooled, in Kerala (15.3%). According to gender, the remaining uneducated eligible were 31.9% for males and 36.2% for females. In Kerala, there are 1,21,637 marine fishermen families constituting a population of 5,63,903. Of the marine fisherfolk population, adult males make up 37%, adult females 35%, and children, 28%. Of the marine fisher folk population, 60% of families, or 72,507, are found below the poverty line. 40% of these families report being Christians, 33% Hindus, 27% being Muslims. In Kerala, in almost 89% households live in pucca houses with 98.5% of houses electrified. About 8% of the families are found with no toilets of their own; 59% of the families, however, are accessible through public taps. Coastal areas currently house about half of the world's population. Migration from rural areas adds to the challenges of a marginalized community of fisherfolk, who depend on their livelihoods and habitats for sustenance from the coastal ecosystem. This has led to a situation where, despite the valuable contributions to regional economies and cultural identities, these communities live in terrible conditions, characterized by deplorable housing, inadequate sanitation, and lack of basic services. Apart from these socio-economic issues, coastal fisherfolk have become vulnerable to climate change. Sea level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and coastal erosion are just some of the stresses that have been visited upon these communities, which find themselves caught in a swamp of worsening living conditions. Apart from efforts made through programs like Kudumbashree and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), the support is not up to addressing their specific needs. Critical vulnerabilities they are facing as distinct communities, based on their cultural and economic affiliations, would require multiple interventions integrating resilience from climate impacts with sustainable development. As a result of immigration into cities, coastal communities have often been neglected and pushed into informal settlements in ecologically fragile areas. This dislocation not only interrupts their livelihood but cuts them from deep-rooted cultural ties with the sea. The incapacity of conventional urban planning frameworks to incorporate the socio-cultural and functional aspects of fisherfolk lifestyles points to the need for creative and inclusive approaches. This research seeks to address these inadequacies through the design of climate-responsive housing and community infrastructure solutions based on participatory design principles. Through the collaboration of communities with the planning process, such a study is framed around sustainability whilst taking into account cultural integrity and functionality. Fisherfolk have a lifestyle intrinsically tied to the sea. This greatly informs their daily routines, cultural practices, and land requirements. Therefore, the design of housing and community infrastructure needs to be compatible with these cultural intricacies and tried to solve the practical challenges in these communities. Hence, the current project seeks to devise integrated solutions that provide both immediate enhancement of living conditions and long-term resilience against environmental and socio-economic threats. This initiative is thus focused on creating an inclusive urban landscape that supports the empowerment of marginalized communities, the adherence to cultural tenets, and the enhancement of adaptive capacity to changing climates. By bridging climate resilience with coastal urban design, this study contributes to the greater goals of sustainable urban development, poverty alleviation, and climate adaptation effort. 2. Research Statement & Hypothesis Question for Research: • How can urban planning and architectural design address the housing and infrastructural needs of coastal fisherfolk while ensuring resilience to climate change? • What role does green infrastructure play in mitigating the environmental impact of urban development in coastal zones? Hypothesis: Resilient coastal architecture that incorporates community-led design approaches would improve living conditions, empower marginalized communities, and a reduction in vulnerability to climate- change variables. This project seeks to develop spaces which will withstand environmental shocks while enhancing community building through elaborations of sustainable land use, modern materials, and participatory planning. Key strategies include: • Climate-Resilient Design: Adopting elevated structures, flood-resistant materials, and flexible layouts to accommodate changing coastal conditions. • Facilitating joint planning to allow for community ownership that nevertheless is congruous with cultural value systems. • Integrating green infrastructure for enhancing ecological balance and apparently cooling down the urban environment. • Sustainability Focus: Utilizing renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and waste recycling systems to enhance self-sufficiency. 3. Aims & Objectives Aim: To develop a sustainable, environmentally conscious, disaster-resilient architectural solution for housing and community infrastructure aimed at improved quality of life for the urban coastal poor, especially fisherfolk, while addressing climate challenges and preserving the ecological balance. Objectives: • Design environmentally sustainable housing that incorporates energy-efficient construction methods, locally sourced materials, and passive cooling techniques. • Provide durable and affordable housing solutions for the economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG). • Integrate renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce reliance on conventional resources. • Incorporate climate adaptation strategies, including green infrastructure and disaster-resilient designs, that can withstand cyclones, rising sea levels, and flooding while ensuring safety and longevity. • Ensure the development of green infrastructure, including eco-friendly landscaping, urban forests, and mangrove reforestation for coastal protection. • Empower fisherfolk communities to participate in co-creating sustainable environments through workshops, training, and local resource utilization. • Develop infrastructure, including roads, drainage, and street lighting. • Waste management, sanitation, and the supply of potable water 4. Scope & Limitations Scope: The scope of this project is to build sustainableclimate-resilient housing and infrastructure for coastal communities, focusing specifically on marginalized fishers. Following are the issues that highlight the scope of work involved in the project: • Housing: low-cost durable housing solutions suitable to the local environmental and cultural conditions of the coastal regions. • Infrastructure: Ensuring access to vital services Such as provision of clean water, appropriate sanitation systems, and waste management, efficient system of drainage that will eliminate waterlogging and flooding, street lighting and good road access will improve safety and accessibility, facilitating linkages between the community. • Community Amenities: Multi-functional community spaces for healthcare, childcare, education, and skill development. Parks and recreational areas to encourage social interaction, and promote environmental awareness among the residents. • Green building: use of sustainable materials, especially those that are locally available or recycled. The design will incorporate renewable energy solutions in terms of solar panels towards an efficient energy consumption and reduced carbon footprint. Green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and vegetative barriers ensure ecological sustainability while enhancing the local microclimate. • Disaster Resistance: Housing and infrastructure will be constructed with sufficient structural reinforcements to withstand natural disaster hazards including cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels in the regions. Limitations: • Cultural and Traditional Resistance: community members may not be open to "resurface" their housing and infrastructural designs that are not compatible with their traditional dwellings or culture. • Maintenance Problems: Ensure the good environment of High humidity and salinity that would cause rapid damage, requiring timely repairs and upkeep. • Environmental Regulation and Compliance: Strict environmental regulations in coastal zones may limit the scale or type of construction allowed. Meeting compliance requirements can increase project costs and timelines. • Design Restrictions: Buildings must be designed to withstand high winds, storms, and possible flooding, which can limit design flexibility. Strict height and setback regulations in coastal areas might limit architectural creativity or project scope. • Limited Vertical Expansion and Foundation Challenges: In areas with frequent storms or tsunamis, tall buildings may pose additional risks, limiting vertical expansion. Weight constraints on unstable soil further restrict multi-story construction. Coastal soils may be unstable, sandy, or prone to erosion, making it difficult to build strong foundations. High water tables can lead to flooding or structural instability. 5. Program The project aims to address the physical, social, and economic needs of coastal communities, particularly fisherfolk, who are among the most vulnerable urban poor. This initiative addresses immediate housing and infrastructure needs while focusing on sustainability, disaster resilience, and economic empowerment. It preserves the cultural identity of fisherfolk and involves the community in designing, developing, and managing these spaces through participatory approaches. Program Components: • Housing The housing component of the program addresses the acute need for affordable, resilient, and culturally appropriate dwellings for the coastal fisherfolk community. Target population demographic Design Principles: 1. Climate-Resilient: Elevated structures for protection against floods, slopes to handle heavy rains, and corrosion-resistant materials to cope with salt air. 2. Culturally Sensitive: Designs are such as to respect traditional fisherfolk lifestyles, accommodating spaces for drying nets and stockfish storage. • Medical Facilities: Community health centers that can provide primary health services for community members. • Educational Facilities: Establishing a pre-primary school to provide a nurturing environment for early childhood education. The facility will also include adult literacy programs and evening classes for skill development, focusing on vocational training, basic IT skills, and other essential competencies to empower the local community. • Recreation while community spaces: Establishing parks and playfields with sitting arrangements under shaded areas, equipped with children's play equipment and jogging tracks. A community hall for cultural events, social activities, and training workshops. • Skill Development Centers: Vocational training spaces focusing on sustainable fishing, handicrafts, and eco-tourism. • Green Infrastructure and Resilient Design: The project incorporates sustainable practices to boost climate resilience, including vegetation buffers for windbreaks and erosion control, green roofs, community gardens for urban agriculture, and rainwater harvesting systems to reduce reliance on external water sources. • Waste Management and Renewable energy systems: Recycling stations and compost units for proper waste disposal, along with solar power systems to meet energy needs and explore further renewable solutions. • Services: A community water supply system proper sewage management, roads and pathways link housing, solar lighting on streetlights to enhances safety. 6. Site Co-ordinates: 11°43'21.6"N 75°30'51.1"E Proposed Site: Pettipalam, Thalassery, Kannur, Kerala. Setting: Urban coastal zone facing environmental degradation and socio-economic challenges. Relevance: Pettipalam's history of urban exclusion, coupled with its vulnerability to rising sea levels and poor waste management, makes it an ideal location for demonstrating the potential of resilient, community-driven design. Contextual Analysis: • Adjacent uses include fishing docks, residential areas, and municipal waste disposal sites. • The site’s proximity to the coastline provides opportunities for waterfront redevelopment and climate adaptation projects. Site Justification: The site reflects the challenges faced by coastal urban poor communities, including inadequate housing, poor waste management, and vulnerability to natural disasters, which this project aims to address. Its location within a bustling coastal town highlights the need for integrated urban planning that addresses both socio-economic upliftment and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Pettipalam’s cultural significance as a fishing community offers a unique opportunity to design infrastructure that supports traditional livelihoods while preparing for future challenges, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. site photos 7. Methodology Primary Research: Primary research is focused on understanding of the live experiences, needs and aspirations of fisherfolk communities. Site study and live case studies The methods include: Site study 1. Field surveys Objective: To collect detailed data on housing conditions, access to basic services, and community priorities. 2. Community interviews Objective: To understand cultural, social, and economic factors influencing housing and infrastructure needs. 3. Environmental impact assessments (EIA) Objective: To evaluate the ecological and environmental conditions of the site. Flood risk mapping, drainage patterns, waste management, biodiversity. Live case study 1. Karmadom Colony: Development focusing on housing needs of marginalized communities, basic amenities to improve living conditions. 2. Kannanthura Fishing Village: sustainable housing solutions with the livelihood needs of a coastal fishing community and preservation of traditional practices 3. Belapur housing community: The project emphasizes low-cost, sustainable housing through a cluster-baseddesign, promoting community interaction and incremental growth. Secondary Research: Secondary research provided supporting information for primary data collection by providing insight into several successful strategies, case studies, examples, and policies. • Literature reviews 1. Aranya Housing Project, India: The project demonstrates the integration of community facilities with affordable housing, addressing the needs of economically weaker sections. 2. New Gourna Village, Egypt: The project exemplifies sustainable, affordable housing through local materials and traditional techniques for rural Egypt. 3. Quinta Monroy Housing, Chile: The project showcases innovative social housing with a framework for expansion and efficient resource use. • Special case study 1. Rehabilitation of Bhadli Village, Bhuj: The project integrates sustainable rebuilding with community-focused design for disaster-affected rural populations. 2. Tiny House, Indore: This micro-home prototype addresses India's affordable housing shortage with innovative, space-efficient design. • Policy Analysis 1. BSUP (Basic Services for Urban Poor): Examined its framework for delivering housing, sanitation, and water supply to urban poor communities. 2. IHSDP (Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme): Reviewed its successes and challenges in enhancing slum conditions. 3. Other Urban Development Frameworks: Analyzed policies under the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT for potential integration and alignment with this project. Analytical Methods: • SWOT analysis of the site. • Comparative analysis of literature and case studies IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERS 1. Government Support • Smart Cities Mission: Align the project with the objectives of this mission to secure funding for urban development and green spaces. • AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation): Propose the integration of water supply, sanitation, and drainage systems under this scheme. • Disaster Management Authority: Collaborate to fund disaster-resilient infrastructure and workshops. 2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) • Industries in sectors like renewable energy, construction, and FMCG may contribute to specific components such as solar panels, skill-training workshops, or educational facilities. 3. International Organizations • Seek support from agencies like UN-Habitat, World Bank, and GIZ for climate resilience and community development projects. 4. NGOs and Academic Institutions • Partner with NGOs focusing on urban poverty, environmental conservation, and disaster management. Academic institutions can assist with research and pilot testing. 8. Inferences The pre-thesis research pointed out critical information to consider when designing sustainable resilient housing and infrastructure for coastal fisherfolk communities. These inferences have shaped the project’s focus on inclusive, climate-adaptive designs, ensuring that the solutions address both the immediate and long-term needs of the target population. The research underscores the critical housing crisis in coastal regions, were communities face vulnerabilities due to inadequate, non-resilient housing structures. • Vulnerability to Disasters: Many fisherfolk live in temporary shelters that are easily destroyed by cyclones, heavy rains, and flooding. which leads to repeated dislocation and poses perspectives of economic decline. • Affordability Challenge: Most existing housing schemes are good, but still do not offer affordable housing which would fit into the context and needs of coastal communities. • Health and Safety Risks: Poor living conditions combined with inadequate sanitation and waste management lead to health hazards, particularly in emergencies following natural calamities. The environmental fragility of coastal regions demands an integrated approach that balances development with ecological preservation. • Mitigating Environmental Risks: Green infrastructure of mangrove restoration, vegetative buffers, and rainwater harvesting is necessary to mitigate impacts from rising sea levels, storm surges, and coastal erosions. • Promoting Biodiversity: Native vegetation use combined with sustainable landscaping efforts promotes biodiversity, provides microclimatic, and reduces urban heat islands effects. • Sustainable Resource Management: Incorporating renewable energy and water conservation policy, and waste recycling methods into the design ensures long-term sustainability and resource efficiency. Fisherfolk's cultural identity and economic reliance on the sea make it imperative for housing and community needs to be fulfilled. • Cultural Identity: The design of housing and community spaces must respect and preserve traditional practices, such as net weaving and seafood processing, which are integral to their way of life. • Livelihood Support: Proximity to the sea and fishing docks is crucial for sustaining livelihoods. Infrastructure must be designed to enhance economic opportunities. • Community Cohesion: Shared spaces for social gatherings, festivals, and recreational activities foster a sense of belonging and mutual support within the community. Case studies from global and local contexts highlight the importance of involving communities in the design process and adopting phased construction models. • Participatory Design: Successful examples like Quinta Monroy Housing Project in Chile and Aranya Low-Cost Housing in India, demonstrate that involving communities in planning leads to better-designed, culturally relevant, and widely accepted solutions. • Phased Construction: Incremental housing models, where basic structures are built initially and expanded over time, empower residents to customize their homes based on evolving needs and financial capacity. This approach is particularly valuable in resource-limited settings. 9. Bibliography & Webliography 1. Bibliography 1. Housing for All in Urban India: Myths & Reality Author: Ar. Jit Kumar Gupta 2. Socioeconomic Conditions and Cultural Profile of the Fishers in India Authors: Bijayalakshmi Devi Nongmaithem, Ajit Kumar Ngangbam 3. A Study on Social and Economic Condition of the Fisher Community in India Author: Nagaraj Suresh Kalmane 4. Socio-Economic Status of Fisher Folk Community in India Author: Rohit Khatua 5. Building with Earth: Design and Technologies of a Sustainable Architecture Author: Gernot Minke 6. Local Knowledge of Coastal Population to Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Author: Yoganandan Veeran, R.S. John Bose, and Selvaraj Kandasamy 2. Webliography 1. Marine Fisheries Census 2016, India Publisher: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi ISBN: 978-93-82263-41-8 2. Kudumbashree (Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission) Website: http://www.kudumbashree.org 3. Quinta Monroy Housing, Chile Architect: Elemental (led by Alejandro Aravena) Website: https://www.archdaily.com/10775/quinta-monroy-elemental 4. New Gourna Village, Egypt by Hassan Fathy Website: https://architectureindevelopment.org/project/30 5. Manorama Online - Pettipalam Website: https://www.manoramaonline.com http://www.kudumbashree.org/ https://www.archdaily.com/10775/quinta-monroy-elemental https://architectureindevelopment.org/project/30 https://www.manoramaonline.com/
