How We Build Our Homes Matters
In the Caribbean, where hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods are a growing threat, building homes that can withstand these forces is a necessity. With climate change worsening the intensity of these disasters, now more than ever, how we build our homes makes a difference.
To address this, The Physical and Environmental Planning Sector Subcommittee (PEPSSC) of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) launched a webinar series aimed at educating homeowners, builders, policymakers, financiers and the public on the importance of building disaster-resilient homes.
One of the series’ key speakers, Dr. Grenville Phillips II, underscored that “poor building practices have historically contributed to the high level of damage in the Caribbean after natural disasters.”
The President of Walbrent College and civil engineer, said that typical problems stem from two major issues: weak building materials and inadequate connections between them. “When either or both of these problems exist, homes are prone to severe damage or total collapse under the weight of storms or earthquakes,” Phillips explained.
One solution, he mentioned, was the adoption and use of building codes like the OECS Building Code (OECS-BC) and the CARICOM Regional Code of Practice (CRCP 10:2023) developed by CDEMA in partnership the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). Dr. Phillips explained, “…these codes offer guidance for designers, contractors, and building inspectors on building to higher standards.” Sadly, he observed, that “less than 0.1% of houses in the Caribbean have adequate shear walls that resist strong forces and are therefore vulnerable to collapse during a major earthquake or hurricane.”
He recommended that a rectangular-shaped masonry house should have a 10 ft shear wall on each of its four sides. Installing these walls, he said, would not require additional costs but would enhance the home’s stability. For wooden houses, diagonal braces were similarly important and should be added where possible.
For many homeowners, the thought of meeting these high standards can seem overwhelming, especially when budgets are tight. But as Dr. Phillips emphasised, disaster resilience does not have to come with a high price tag. “For existing houses, strengthening the roof according to the CRCP 10:2023 standards can significantly increase disaster resistance.” Homeowners building new homes should also follow these guidelines to ensure their homes are designed for long-term resilience.
Then why aren’t more people taking these steps? Dr. Phillips highlighted a lack of awareness and education among homeowners. Dr. Phillips said, “Homeowners should familiarise themselves with the ‘Learners Guide,’ a user-friendly version of the CRCP 10:2023.” This guide simplifies technical jargon and helps individuals understand the basics of disaster-resilient building practices.
With climate change escalating the severity of natural disasters, the region cannot afford to delay adopting and enforcing stronger building standards. For homeowners, that means educating themselves about the best practices outlined in the building codes. For contractors, it means applying these practices consistently. And for policymakers, it means creating incentives for compliance, such as reducing taxes on high-quality materials and increasing them on sub-standard products.
The CDEMA PEPSSC webinar series, he said, provided practical guidance on building to the CRCP:10: 2023 and the OECS Building Codes (OECS-BC).
The emphasis on resilient homes for this series is one of the key priorities of the PEPSSC which has the responsibility of providing guidance for mainstreaming Caribbean Disaster Management (CDM) in development planning. Members includes the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Planners Association (CPA), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), CROSQ, the Council of Caribbean Engineering Organizations (CCEO), the Federation of Caribbean Associations of Architects (FCAA), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the University of Technology, Jamaica, and the University of the West Indies Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES).
The webinars are supported by Global Affairs Canada under the Targeted Support to CDEMA project which has financed the re-engagement of the CDM Coordination and Harmonisation Council (CHC) and its Sector Subcommittees inclusive of the PEPSSC, to improve regional capacity for mainstreaming of CDM.
For more information and to register, interested persons can visit https://hostsbb.com/ or contact Dr. Nicole Greenidge, Disaster Risk Management Specialist, CDEMA at [email protected] or Ms. Marsha Dennie, Project Coordinator, Resource Mobilisation and Programme Development, CROSQ at [email protected].
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Poor people are still building houses or buying houses and putting them on blocks , no attachment. How can this be remedied?
When growing up we were told that wall houses were safer for storms and hurricanes and wooden houses for earthquakes. I am more fearful of earthquakes by far, don’t know when they are coming and at what strength or length of time. I don’t think most of us probably in the 90’s percent are not prepared for earthquakes. While there are high levels of preparation for hurricanes personal , Communities, Churches- right across the public and private sector and NGS .
Designing #Rubber_Dampers into the footing and foundation of a house will help with absorbing some of the shocks from the earth’s shaking.
#HEMPCRETE can also be incorporated into the building of the house, except where load bearing is required. It’s fire resistant, breathable and absorb shocks due to its low density factor. It’s a great insulator and once the house is designed with the proper orientation for air flow with transoms etc the circulated air is very clean and not very toxic.
The CARIBBEAN should’ve have been growing HEMP for decades and developed this vital and natural resource to deal with today’s ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
The next thing in designing homes flat(slightly sloped roofs), with rafters cast into load bearing walls are the safest and best bet to save a roof during hurricanes. It not only saves money on the overall project, it can be utilized as outdoor living spaces from decks to rooftop gardens.
Octagonal shapes, circular shapes(utilized by the windmills, lighthouses and rotundas), if you care to get fancy can help with wind deflection away from the structure too.
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De’Ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
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