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Why?

POST1/Housing shortage and climate related issue

Out of 1210 million people in rural India, 824 million live in rural areas. Yet, due to general neglect in policies and programmes, rural housing has recorded a high degree of quantitative and qualitative shortage. Whether it is congestion, housing obsolescence, poor quality construction, a large number of Kutcha houses and the absence of basic amenities and services - Rural India is elusive to safe, good quality housing.

Source: Gupta, Jit Kumar. “Decoding Affordable Houses. The Way Forward.” The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), August 21, 2021. https://www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com/pdf/Affordable-Housing-Protected.pdf.

India is deeply vulnerable to climate change due to its long coastline and dependence on the monsoon and snow-fed rivers. The country could soon become one of the first places in the world to experience heat waves that break the human survivability limit. As housing in rural India aren’t climatically responsive the population become most vulnerable to these climatic abnormalities.

Source: Patel, Aaran. “How Can Indian Cities Shield Vulnerable Migrants from Climate Change? with Better Affordable Housing.” Scroll.in. Scroll.in, October 13, 2021. https://scroll.in/magazine/1007459/how-can-indian-cities-shield-vulnerable-migrants-from-climate-change-with-better-affordable-housing.

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POST2/Introduction PMAY-G

The rural housing program, as an independent programme, started with Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) in January 1996. Although lAY addressed the housing needs in the rural areas, certain gaps were identified during the course of performance audit in 2014.

In order to address these gaps in the rural housing program and in view of Government's commitment to provide “Housing for All” by 2022, the scheme of lAY has been restructured into Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAYG)

PMAY-G aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all houseless households and households living in kutcha and dilapidated house.

The immediate objective is to ensure construction of quality houses, using local materials, designs and masons specially trained in quality workmanship. For houses to become homes, adequate care for adopting a habitat approach through convergence is proposed.

Source: Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Accessed February 2, 2023.

https://pmayg.nic.in/netiayHome/about.aspx⁠

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POST3/Gaps in PMAY-G

The issue that was identified eight years ago in IAY is still pertinent in the case of PMAY-G — the responsibility for the construction of the house rests with the beneficiary and there is no proper supervision of the quality. It is silent on the quality of the houses constructed. The beneficiary is also not aware of the ideal way forward for construction.

Source: Joshi, Akshay. “The Centre Needs to Rethink the PMAY-G Scheme.” Observer Research Foundation, August 9, 2022. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-centre-needs-to-rethink-the-pmay-g-scheme/

It was found that about 80% of the beneficiaries have invested additional funds for constructing their PMAY-G assisted houses.

Reports have also found poor convergence of PMAY-G with other programs such as water, sanitation, waste management, electricity, cooking gas and other amenities.

Source: Reddy, W R, R Ramesh, and P SivaRam. “Impact Assessment of PMAY-G.” Centre for Rural Infrastructure National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), n.d. Accessed February 2, 2023.

The ministry has provided ideal prototypes and construction plans, which people in attempt to upgrade themselves follow but do not suit the their personal needs and lifestyle. Additionally, Local laborers and artisans undertaking the construction activities have negligible technical know how about cost effective and environment friendly building materials and construction techniques.

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17th: post 4

Connect gaps in PMAY G to the role of Brick by brick. a bold statement: the solution is brick by brick.

18th: post 5

A mind map of all principals and working of brick by brick. No explanation, only an overview.

20th: post 6

elaborate all points of the working.

Participatory and conscious design.

Data

The role of Brick by Brick

Brick by Brick is dedicated to building stronger communities through the construction of low-cost housing, sustainable development, and community engagement. We strive to create safe and comfortable homes for low-income households, while also promoting economic growth and social well-being in the communities we serve.

We help beneficiaries get the utmost value from the funds provided under the welfare scheme.

We outline building architecture, engineering and construction practices for specific geographical contexts.

This data is stored in an open browser based game, where households can participate in the design of their own homes.

Based on specific design decisions, the game provides data such as quantities, technical drawings and costs in a transparent manner,

With this information we plan the construction process in consultation with local stakeholders and fill the gaps in skill or access to machinery if needed.

Sustainable rural housing technology is a method of housing construction that involves the use of cheap, environment friendly and locally sourced materials such as bamboo, bagasse boards, fly ash based bricks, mud and lime for building cost effective, comfortable and calamity resistant houses which provide adequate standards of living. It integrates the use of local construction techniques suitable for the climatic and geographical conditions of a region with the elements of modern architecture and technology, as, easy-to-use construction machinery, pre-fabricated components, use of agricultural and industrial byproduct-based construction materials, and advanced architectural features that enhance the quality and sustainability of the houses. The labour intensive nature of construction activities involving locally sourced materials and indigenous building techniques can play an instrumental role in generating employment opportunities

Kutcha vs Pucca

Pucca houses, which are considered to be all-weather durable and sustainable. On the other hand kutcha and Semi-pucca houses, not considered to be durable and sustainable.

The census defines a "pucca" house whose walls are made of either stones (packed with lime or cement mortar) or G.I/metal/asbestos sheets or burnt bricks or cement bricks or concrete and whose roof is made of either machine-made tiles or cement tiles or burnt bricks or cement bricks or stones or slate or G.I./Metal/Asbestos sheets or concrete.

This is

the definition employed by Census⁠

to categorize a house as pucca and is a bit lenient as it excludes any floor specification.

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Those houses which have both wall and roof made of pucca materials are classified as pucca. When both wall and roof are made of kutcha materials the house is classified as Kutcha. If either wall or roof is made of pucca material and the other of kutcha material, then the house is classified as semi-pucca. The Kutcha houses have been further categorised as serviceable and non serviceable. If wall is made of materials such as grass, leaves, reeds or bamboo and roof is made of materials such as grass, leaves, reeds, thatch, wood, mud, un-burnt bricks or bamboo then the house has been classified as un-serviceable kutcha. Other kutcha houses have been classified as serviceable kutcha. For the classification of kutch a houses serviceable and non-serviceable also the criteria adopted are as per N.B.O.

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http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/205/1/48878_1991_HOU.pdf⁠

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HOW WE WORK

Identify the users’ needs.

To cater to user specific problems through dialogue and participation. We aim to improve living conditions satisfactorily and sustainably.

Designing in collaboration aided by our web-based application.

Provides Context: The application provides a click-to-design interface based on key contextual data such as area available, location, climate and geographical conditions, etc.

Data generation: An online design report is generated, which outlines types, quantities and costs of building materials to be procured.

Equip user’s Building knowledge.

Brick by Brick ensures on site skill development for local communities involved in construction.

It also enables the user to monitor the construction of their house keeping quality and cost in check.

Brick by Brick aims to fill the gaps of rural housing scheme and utilize it to its full potential by collaborating with the end user by promoting participation and maintaining transparency through the entire process.

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