IAPEX Conference on 'building social bridges' held

The second session of the IAPEX 2012 focused on 'building social bridges' where Architect Eike Roswag from Berlin and Architect Hafiz Sherali presented their work. In his online video lecture from Berlin at the conference here, Eike talked about the use of low-tech renewable materials in his projects to create a comfortable green built environment.
He shared numerous examples of his work in Berlin, UAE, Bangladesh and Pakistan where he had promoted the use of local traditional techniques using natural material. He further declared that research work was underway in Germany to develop cement and steel free building technology which would play the music in future.
He admitted that traditionally built projects were better than concrete structures as those were more responsive to climatic conditions whether they were humid, cold or warm. Quoting one of the studies conducted in Cairo, he confirmed that earthen buildings were more comfortable than concrete. He also apprised the audience with the fact that water consumption reduced significantly when natural materials were used as compare to the use of cement.
Eike has also worked in Pakistan and has designed Tipu Sultan Markez near Lahore using bamboos as primary building material. This project has received HOLCIM award. He is also in the process of educating people and developing capacity building curriculum to make the use of technology available to all.
Eike's presentation was followed up by Ar Hafiz Sherali who threw light on the role and contribution of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan to enhance the quality of life in Northern areas of Pakistan, in particular. "We as urban architects", says Hafiz, "confine ourselves to urban environment and forget to bridge with rural part of our society."
He discussed the issues and programme devised by Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of mountains in Northern areas. He told the participants that houses built in mountains were generally cold, dark and dusty. These structures were also unsafe as no engineering solution was adopted in making them seismic proof. With the introduction of BACIP (Building and Construction Improvement Programme) products developed by AKDN, those structures have improved a lot.
He insisted on the need of community mobilisation and participation without which no project was executed successfully and remains sustainable. He also emphasised the need for carrying out appropriate research, marketing, training and capacity building to generate sustainable demand for the products. Both presentations were finally concluded at a panel discussion moderated by Architect Khadija Jamal Shaaban with Architect Arshad Abdulla.