The Beginning of a Beginning: Concrete Cloth in Subsistence Urbanity

by Chao-Yang Jason Wu

A girl walks along a water pipe in the industrial area of Dharavi, India. Mumbai. ^[1]

“In countries where you don’t have the tools and technologies you need, there’s no reason to invest in last generation’s technology. You are much better off—almost universally—looking for a low cost, locally applicable version of the newest technology.”^[2]—Alex Steffen, founder of worldchanging.com

Of the 6 billion people living in the world, about 50,000 die each day from inadequate shelter, contaminated water, and poor sanitation^[3]. Approximately 1 billion people in the world are slum dwellers living in overcrowded and polluted spaces^[4]. It is without doubt that in order to account for this massive number of people in need, we need a technology that is both “low cost” and “locally applicable”.

After a long session of research, I came across an ingenious material that fits right into this criteria—Concrete Cloth.

Developed by Concrete Canvas, Concrete Cloth is a flexible fabric containing formulated concrete mixes that, when exposed to water, will harden into any desired shapes. PVC backings are attached to the inner layer of the fabric to make the whole material water proof. Moreover, when the concrete sets within the cloth, the material becomes strong, durable, and fire proof.

Concrete Cloth [5]

The main application of Concrete Cloth is housing. The deployment takes place in four simple steps: deliver, inflate, hydrate, and set. Although the whole process takes a day to complete, the first 3 steps can be done in under an hour by 2 people. The concrete walls provide great insulation and the structure has a design lifespan of at least 10 years.

Deployment sequence [6]

The cloth can be used in other applications, such as pipeline protection. One of the biggest problems in fresh water delivery through piping—especially into the slum regions—is that the environment is extremely polluted from the wastes in the slum areas that the water inside the pipe near it becomes polluted as well. Furthermore, the piping is easily cracked and torn apart, which will not only limit the amount of water that goes into the community, but also directly expose it to the wastes.

Concrete Cloth used in piping ^[7]

Finally, Concrete Cloth can also be used as ditches for waste disposal. In a research conducted by the New York Academy of Medicine, the results showed that all 31 water samples collected from shallow wells in the Kenyan slums were tested positive for e-coli[8]. The cause of this problem is predominately due to the toxins released from decaying wastes that sink into the soil, and eventually into the groundwater. Since the Concrete Cloth is highly impermeable, the cloth can prevent the pollutants in the wastes from entering into the soil.

Layer of Concrete Cloth on top of ditch ^[9]

At the end of the talk given to ted.com, Alex Steffen quoted H.G. Wells, where he said: “All of the past is but the beginning of a beginning; all that the human mind has accomplished is but the dream before the awakening”. While one may argue that the aforementioned solutions to the problems that exist in slums will only prolong—not completely solve—the broader issue at hand. That it is practically impossible to supply the needs of every slum dwellers in the world. However, Concrete Cloth is surely a starting point from where we can take off and build upon. It is a beginning, a step towards the “awakening”.

Media References:

1. Jonas Bendiksen, “India. Dharavi Slum.” Magnum Photos, 2006, http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&VBID=2K1HZSJ46V2P&IT=ZoomImage01_VForm&IID=2K7O3RHCFGCF&PN=6&CT=Search (accessed November 3, 2009)

5. Concrete Canvas, “CC Information Brochure”, Concrete Cloth, 2009, http://www.concretecanvas.co.uk/Docs/0909%20CC%20Civil%20Brochure.pdf (accessed November 1, 2009)

6. Concrete Canvas, "CCS Deployment", Concrete Canvas Shelters, 2009,http://www.concretecanvas.co.uk/Docs/0909%20CCS%20C%20Brochure.pdf (accessed November 3, 2009)

7. Concrete Canvas, “Pipeline Protection”, Concrete Cloth, 2009,http://www.concretecanvas.co.uk/Docs/0909%20CC%20Civil%20Brochure.pdf (accessed November 1, 2009)

9. Concrete Canvas, “Ditch Lining”, Concrete Cloth, 2009,http://www.concretecanvas.co.uk/Docs/0909%20CC%20Civil%20Brochure.pdf (accessed November 1, 2009)

Information Sources:

2. TED Conferences. "Alex Steffen sees a sustainable future". TED Talks, October 2009, http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future.html (accessed November 3, 2009)

3. Embracing the World, "Homes & Slum Renovation," Embracing the World, September 29, 2009 http://www.embracingtheworld.org/what-we-do/homes-slum-renovation/ (accessed November 3, 2009)

4. Sarah Stuteville, "Kenyans Tap Sun to Make Dirty Water Sparkle", Common Language Project, April 13, 2008, http://clpmag.org/article.php?article=Kenyans-Tap-Sun-to-Make-Dirty-Water-Sparkle_029 (accessed November 3, 2009)

8. Elizabeth Wambui Kimani-Murage and Augustine M. Ngindu, "Quality of Water the Slum Dwellers Use: The Case of a Kenyan Slum", J Urban Health, June 6, 2009, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2134844/ (accessed November 3, 2009)

Dignity Village: A Model of Self-Sufficiency - Polly Auyeung

"Just as poorly designed urban environments are associated with social disorders, so carefully designed places can uplift and improve the health and well being of individuals and communities." - Jan Semenza, Portland State University ^[1]

Why do we need shelters? They shield us from the elements. They give us certainty in our lives in the form of a home, a place to return. Why do we need communities? They provide us with a sense of belonging, a sense of our value to the world. But what happens when people lose their homes, when they become detached from the very community they came from? I’m talking about the homeless. We often forget that people are homeless by circumstance. We complain when they smell bad and sleep in parks, but they don’t really have a choice. And when we associate all homeless with drunks and criminals, we take away their integrity as fellow human beings.

Becky Blanton's experience of becoming one of the working homeless ^[2]

Recently I came across an interesting movement by homeless people for homeless people: the creation of their very own community to reclaim their dignity. Dignity Village began in 2000 as a small group of homeless citizens from Portland, Oregon illegally camping on public land. As the members increased, the Portland City Council agreed to let them stay in a city lot called the Sunderland Yard by designating it as a campground.

The original settlers ^[3]

In order to gain credibility with the citizens of Portland, the people of Dignity Village knew they could not rely on them. They had to be self-sufficient. The villagers devised a plan including building codes and infrastructure concepts to maximize the safety and sustainability of their community.

The early years ^[4]; temporary houses made of scavenged materials ^[5]

The houses of Dignity, temporary and permanent, are all built by village residents. Composed of recycled and natural materials, the 10’ x 10’ abodes are raised on platforms to minimize site damage and can be easily disassembled in case of relocation. Many new structures are built from cob, a cheap, natural building material consisting of clay, sand, straw, and water. Fireproof, waterproof, resilient to seismic activity, insulating, and simple to use, it is the perfect material for the location and its users.

A permanent cob house in Dignity ^[6]

But a community cannot thrive unless it meets its basic needs. What keeps Dignity from degenerating into another slum is its simple and effective infrastructure: the availability of clean water and waste disposal. Making use of the Portland climate, all structures in the village are equipped with rain barrels that store water for fire suppression and irrigation of the produce gardens. With carbon filtering and solar (UV) disinfection, the rest of the water is acceptable for cleaning and consumption. Waste water is led out of the site with a man-made stream constructed from sand and pond-liner. Community composting toilets store solid human waste, creating compost material for the gardens.

A composting toilet ^[7]

Each of Dignity Village’s 65 inhabitants is a contributing member to the building, maintenance, and planning of the self-governing settlement. In their participation and engagement to their community, they are regaining their dignities and rebuilding their lives.

The village residents ^[8]

The accomplishment of self-sufficiency is a goal many cities can only dream of. Perhaps it is so difficult because we have overcomplicated our lifestyles with excesses. The adoption of Dignity Village's concept isn’t feasible in a society where ipods and cellphones are an individual’s essential items. The drive to survive just hasn’t registered yet. We haven’t experienced homelessness. Maybe, in order to truly understand what we really need, we need to have nothing first.

Media References:

1. Dignity Village, "Dignity Village Proposal", Dignity Village. 2004,

http://www.dignityvillage.org/proposal2003/index.html (accessed November 3, 2009)

2. TED Conferences, "Becky Blanton: The year I was homeless", TED Talks, October 2009,

http://www.ted.com/talks/becky_blanton_the_year_i_was_homeless.html (accessed November 3, 2009)

3. Dignity Village, "Dignity: PHOTOS", Dignity Village, 2004,

http://www.dignityvillage.org/photos/early-hf.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

4. Dignity Village, "Dignity: PHOTOS", Dignity Village, 2004,

http://www.dignityvillage.org/photos/520/520-8.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

5. Michael Janzen, "Dignity Village: A Success Story", Tiny House Design, October 10, 2009,

http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Dignity-Village-home-600x450.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

6. Michael Janzen, "Dignity Village: A Success Story", Tiny House Design, October 10, 2009,

http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Dignity-Village-cabin-600x800.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

7. Dignity Village, "Dignity: PHOTOS", Dignity Village, 2004,

http://www.dignityvillage.org/photos/digsville/ToiletSeatSm.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

8. Dignity Village, "Dignity: PHOTOS", Dignity Village, 2004,

http://www.dignityvillage.org/photos/newbanner/7.jpg (accessed November 3, 2009)

Information Sources:

Bayer, Israel. "From Doorways to Dignity". Street News Service. October 24, 2003.

http://www.streetnewsservice.org/index.php?page=archive_detail&articleID=182 (accessed November 3, 2009)

Cob Cottage Company. "What is Cob". Cob Cottage Company. 2009.

http://www.cobcottage.com/whatis (accessed November 3, 2009)

Dignity Village. "Dignity Village Proposal". Dignity Village. 2004.

http://www.dignityvillage.org/proposal2003/index.html (accessed November 3, 2009)

TED Conferences. "Becky Blanton: The year I was homeless". TED Talks, October 2009.

http://www.ted.com/talks/becky_blanton_the_year_i_was_homeless.html (accessed November 3, 2009)

EarthBag Homes-Kemal Alladin

http://www.squidoo.com/earthbaghomes

In the event of emergency housing or sustainable housing types there is a system known as EarthBag homes. This system is extremely simple, fast and economic. The system begins by digging a trench in the ground. The trench is then filled with a primary layer of bags which are filled with organic material like soil or inorganic material such as gravel. After the first layer of bags are placed a layer or barbed wire is place on top so that the next layer of bags are “locked” into place. Rows are built up using this method to create a foundation then the rows are staggered similar to bricks to create a wall. For the roof the bags are sloped inward to create a dome or igloo like structure or wood framing can be used. Finally, a stucco or plaster finish is applied to the bags for some added strength, aesthetics, and weatherproofing.

The bags can either be polypropylene which are used to transport rice and grain. These bags are used because they are waterproof and are resistant to rot, decay and insects. However for a greener approach hemp, burlap or other natural-fibered bags can be

used.

http://www.squidoo.com/earthbaghomes

The material used to fill the bags are endless. Almost an inorganic material can be used, however a material that is a good insulator are mostly used. Materials such as crushed volcanic rock, pumice or rice hulls have higher insulation values and are more suited for more extreme climates. Where insulation is not of great concern sand, clay or soil can be employed.

http://www.squidoo.com/earthbaghomes

Finishing on these structures is of utmost importance. The bags are subject to UV, water and elemental damage therefore an opaque waterproof material should be used. Stucco, plaster and adobe are good materials to use, however a “living roof” system seems to be the most environmentally friendly approach.

http://www.squidoo.com/earthbaghomes

The Earthbag system can be an ideal temporary home for disaster zones. These homes can be made quickly and provide good protection from the elements. However, I think that they are better suited for a permanent home in places that are less prone to disasters. The system seem to be well suited for floods because the wall and foundations are made in the same manner as sand dams but I do believe that they would fail in a case like Katrina.

In terms of water and waste disposal the Earthbag system can become an ideal if certain outside methods are employed. Making the roof a “living roof” does solve the water run off problem. Collection systems such as rain barrel collection are useful for collecting the water however a system to purify the water is also needed.

As for waste disposal there are a few fast eco friendly ways that can be incorporated to the Earthbag homes.

Superstructure made with nylon rice sacks:

Advantages:

• cheap
• quick to install
• can be roofed with any material
• can be upgraded to timer or roof sheeting

Disadvantages:

• easily damaged
• sacks require replacement in short intervals

Single Sanplat (Sungura):

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Easily cleaned + maintained
• Long lasting and can be moved
• Easy to transport and install

Disadvantages:

• Too small to install by itself requires wooden platform
• May be slippery- health concern
• Smelly- attracts flies

www.newint.org/features/ 2008/08/01/414-14-3a.gif

Unlined Single Pit:

Advantages:

• Can be cheap to build
• Lasts long in stable soil

Disadvantages:

• could collapse
• Difficult to empty

These are three basic methods that can be employed in disaster zones. More complex and aesthetically pleasing variations are available.

This system is still being tweaked to produce the best product in the most efficient way. Although Earthbag Homes do not have a specific way to deal with water many simple systems can be employed. The sole problem that I have found with the Earthbag Home is that I cannot see it working that efficiently in a Canadian climate, this system does not seem to provide adequate insulation for a winter climate. However, this is perfect for an emergency response residence.

- Kemal Alladin

Media References:

EarthBag Homes, http://www.squidoo.com/earthbaghomes #(accessed 10/31/2009).

Septic Systems - Clara Walker

Septic systems are a great way to treat wet waste from a household and then return the safe waste to the groundwater system. The systems are comprised of two main areas, the septic tank, and the leaching bed. 1

The general processes of the system. 2

Septic Tank
The separation of liquids and solids occurs in the septic tank. 3 The tank is a watertight container buried underground, and provincial regulations impose the size specifications. 4 As the waste water enters the tank, the solids (sludge) sink, and the lighter materials (scum) rise to the surface. Some of this organic matter is eaten by anaerobic bacteria. Then the partially treated wastewater is displaced, by new waste, into the leaching bed to continue in the purification process. 5

Components of a tank. 6

Leaching Bed
The leaching bed, or septic field, is a soil filter made up of a network of trenches and distribution pipes. A biomat layer (bacteria slime) in the trenches consume the organic matter. This bacteria also reacts with the ammonia nitrogen to form nitrate nitrogen, which is less harmful and less toxic. Other viruses and bacteria in the waste are simply filtered out. 7 Oxygen plays an important role in these processes, so to ensure proper circulation nothing can be built on top of the septic field. 8 From here, the water seeps through the soil and into the water table for reuse. 9

The location of the leaching bed. 10

Did you know?
1) Roughly a quarter of Canadian homes use a septic system, mostly in rural areas. 11
2) Most septic system failure occurs when the soil will not allow any more moisture to pass through. To avoid this, divert run off water away from the septic field. 12
3) Trees planted on top of the septic field can damage the filtration system, but the nutrients are beneficial to smaller plant life. 13

Issues
Clogging: When the slime and sludge build up and interfere with the system flow, the septic tank will need pumping to remove the clog. It is recommended that this happens every five years. 14
Freezing: With little usage in the colder months, the tank can freeze. To prevent this, insulate the tank, or maintain a consistent level of water flow. 15
Water supply contamination: Do not place the septic system near a water supply, like a river or a well. 16


Sources:

1. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, "Your Septic System," 2008, http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_009.cfm (accessed October 25, 2009).

2. Image: Ibid

3. Ibid

4. Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, "Septic Systems," October 20, 2006, http://www.gov.pe.ca/envengfor/index.php3?number=43823 (accessed October 25, 2009).

5. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

6.Image: http://www.esse-environmental.com/images/septic_system.jpg

7. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

8. Corey Tournet, "Septic Secrets," July 2000, http://www.elements.nb.ca/Theme/health/corey/septic.htm (accessed October 25, 2009).

9. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

10. Image: Ibid

11. Corey Tournet

12. Ibid

13. Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry

14. Corey Tournet

15. Ibid

16. Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry

Wet Waste Disposal in Bangalore - Kate Black

http://zyozy.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bangalore.jpg

Bangalore is the third largest city in India. The population of Bangalore is 6,200,000. (1) Approximately 8% of the population of Bangalore live in slums. (2) The average size of family in Bangalore is 4.14 people. (3) Families generally live in small 1 to 2 bedroom apartments. In the slums, shelter is far worse. Walls consist of discarded wood boards and tarps for roofs. This type of shelter creates living conditions that often lead to disease and death. These conditions are not helped by the state of wet and dry waste disposal. (4)

In Bangalore, 50-80% of all wastes generated by a household are compostable wet waste from food products. (5) Until the mid 1980's,wet waste was collected in the markets by farmers and taken back to their farms to be composted as fertilizer for their crops. This system served all people well as the waste was removed from the city and put to use, avoiding pollution and wasting land to build garbage disposal sites. However, due to the effects of modernization in India, this system changed. Farmers took buses to the market, limiting the space they would have to tae wastes back with them and people packed their wet wastes in commercial plastic bags. These bags did not decompose when added to the environment, but polluted water ways. They also made many animals sick because the animals tried to eat the food through the bag, causing them to choke and subsequently die. (6)
It became abundantly clear that a real waste disposal system must be put into place for the first time in the history of the city. Trucks were hired in 1990 to remove waste from within the city and take it to designated areas. A common practice by farmers during this period was to pay the truck drivers to dump their load of waste on their fields, which was quite a profitable practice for the drivers, as they made money and did not have to drive long distances to the waste disposal sites. (7) However, this practice ended soon after as the farmers found that there were too many dry wastes in the truck loads that destroyed their fields and contaminated ground water. The drivers now had to find a new way to rid themselves of their waste loads without having to drive all the way to the designated disposal sites. They discovered that it was possible, and legal, to simply dump their loads just beyond the city limits, along the side of country roads. (8)

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/04/images/2006090417830301.jpg

This newfound practice angered many citizens as the waste made their living conditions very unpleasant.The roads were often blocked by some of the garbage that had piled up and this created many traffic flow problems. The truck drivers also began the practice of burning the garbage to compact it, so more could be dumped in the same areas. The burning of the garbage, much of which was made of plastic and released toxic gases when burned, reduced the quality of air the rural residents had to breathe as well. (9)
In the city, life was not much better. The citizens were required by law to separate their wet and dry wastes for collection. The idea of this practice was good and accepted widely by the citizens in theory. However, the wet and dry waste was collected by the same truck daily and simply mixed together, rendering the work the citizens had done to separate it useless. This resulted in many citizens simply dumping the wastes into the streets and in alleyways, making the experience of living in the city undesirable. (10)
One citizen, Almitra H. Patel, was so disgusted by the situation surrounding her rural home and the conditions that she was forced to live in, she wrote to the government,demanding better living conditions and a better system with which to deal with Bangalore's deteriorating state and health conditions. (11) She outlined her position on the state of waste disposal in Bangalore in 9 objections and suggestions:
1. Plastic bags ruined the century old practice of simply recycling wastes into the soil of farmers fields, but a ban on plastic bags is not the answer to Bangalore's problems.
2. Something must be done about the careless disposal of plastic bags.
3. The problem of Bangalore is not a lack of civic discipline, but a lack of Municipal discipline.
4. Wet and dry wastes should be collected weekly by separate trucks to be disposed of properly.
5. There must be legislation saying that only wet wastes such as food, flower and fruit wastes should be collected daily to be composted.
6. Plastic bags should be collected and shredded to be used in the process of fixing bitumen roads.
7. All plastic and glass bottled products should have a deposit on them upon purchase that would be refunded upon the return of the empty container.
8. Keep plastic milk pouches as they are and recycle them, as they are extremely helpful in preventing disease.
9. Implement a programs where if you return 20 empty packages of a certain product, you get one new product (of the same variety) free.
(12)
Almitra Patel took her proposal to the supreme court of India, whom instituted a counsel of people to review the situation of waste disposal all over India and implement a plan with which waste would be disposed of properly. (13) In 2001, the Bangalore City Corporation gave the city 3 sites on which they could safely dump their wastes. However, these sites were mistreated and wastes were once again not sorted. This caused the land to become unusable, and the sites to fill quickly. The roads leading to the sites filled with wastes quickly as well. (14)
Factories were implemented to process compostable materials, as well as recyclables, but they could only keep up with a fourth of the amount of waste the city produced in a day. These factories were soon shut down because they became worn out due to over use. (15)
To this day, no permanent solution has been reached for the disposal of wet waste products in Bangalore and the living conditions continue to deteriorate in the slums. (16)

What possible solutions do we in the west have for the people of Bangalore and their waste disposal system?

Sources:

1. Glow Web Services Pvt. Ltd., "WhereInCity Bangalore", WhereInCity, http://bangalore.whereincity.com/

2. "Bangalore - Slum Population", Global Oneness: Co-creating a Happy World, http://www.experiencefestival.com/bangalore_-_slum_population

3. "Report on Working Class Family Income and Expenditure Survey, 1999-2000", Labour Bureau: Government of India, http://labourbureau.nic.in/CPI-MF-Bangalore.htm

4. "Bangalore - Slum Population", Global Oneness: Co-creating a Happy World, http://www.experiencefestival.com/bangalore_-_slum_population

5. Almitra H. Patel, "Waste Disposal in Bangalore", .docstoc, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12547073/WASTE-DISPOSAL-IN-BANGALORE

6. Ibid

7. Ibid

8. Ibid

9. Ibid

10. Ibid

11.Almitra H. Patel, "Objections and Suggestions" AlmitraPatel.com, www.almitrapatel.com/docs/208.doc

12. Ibid

13. Ibid

14.. Almitra H. Patel, "Waste Disposal in Bangalore", .docstoc, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12547073/WASTE-DISPOSAL-IN-BANGALORE

15. Ibid

16. Ibid

- Kate Black -