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Mary Bon

architect, Mary Bon

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Which innovative technologies in communication, transport, healthcare, education or construction are needed in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti?

In the aftermath of the Earthquake of two years ago, there is a need to assess priorities and evaluate a short, medium and longterm sustainable innovation strategy for a rapid economic and social development of Haiti; perhaps implementing this strategy at its devastated former civic core, that of the ruined National Palace and surrounding Champ de Mars area of the capital of Haiti, Port au Prince.

some links to consider:
http://www.theroot.com/views/rebuilding-better-port-au-prince

Topics: Communication Innovation Construction Innovation Education Innovation Innovative technologies National Palace Haiti Sustainable Innovation Transport Innovation healthcare innovation post-earthquake
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    Simon Tutek

    • +1
    TED Translator
    Feb 21 2012: What any society needs after a disaster is bottom-up organisation for producing food, fresh water and shelter.
    Bottom-up meaning that residents of the affected area have to organise on small scale and tackle local problems one at a time.

    Being dependant on external help for more then 1 year is a sure way into long term poverty and slavery.

    For architects here is some inspirational video on building shelters / homes:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrMJwIedrWU

    For the impassioned, here is the part about help after a tsunami hitting Andaman Islands in 2005:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrMJwIedrWU#t=1h

    • Mary Bon

      • 0
      Feb 25 2012: Thanks for the links Simon; I agree about bottom-up but I believe also in external help for establishing efficient communication / infrastructure / transport systems in disaster areas, that way populations affected can learn fast and share knowledge effectively, understanding and assessing the importance of traditional building techniques and skills and anthropological factors of the population (traditional roles of men and women) of any land is obviously useful too before embarking on engaging with and employing innovative solutions. Sometimes a big stick marking the sand is as useful as pen and paper...

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