New face of slums

Hi Melika,

Your idea of using recyclable materials from people's homes to build shelters could address several social challenges 1) addressing the fact that only a small percentage of materials collected for recycling globally are actually recycled, 2) providing shelter to those in need, 3) growing community participation and creating connections between segregated populations. You've researched and presented some innovative uses of materials and possible opportunities for change.

I'm reminded of this project for sustainable housing in Haiti, which uses recycled tires and bottles in the construction of artistic homes for those without shelter:

http://konbitshelter.org/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/328491151/konbit-shelter-sustainable-building-in-rural-haiti

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heliotrope/bamboo-renewal-designing-a-modern-bamboo-home-in-h?ref=recs_recommended

Some questions for me are about execution and incentive for participation. A common challenge with these kinds of projects is creating homes for the homeless that they will actually want to live in. They may not want to live in a home that stands out particularly or that doesn't meet their aesthetics or actual needs. So designing the home in true collaboration, where you build and design together, rather than telling people what they want, what to do, and how to do it, will go a long way for the success and uptake of the project. Similarly with participation in gardening and harvesting. People participating in the program will need incentives to participate.

I think your approach of collective materials in communities through volunteers is sound. How will you recruit volunteers? What will be the incentive for them to participate in a sustained way?

I think this idea has potential. To ensure sustainability, it will require a significant amount of interviews and community research to design the project and the homes in a way that will ensure uptake.