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In December 2004 the Great Sumatra earthquake and Indian Ocean
tsunami occurred that swept across the Indian Ocean and killed more
than 176,000 people in 11 countries. In Sri Lanka, 500,000 people
were displaced and 50,000 people died. More than 100,000 homes were
destroyed and 46,000 homes were damaged during the tsunami. Many
survivors are still without homes and living in tents and temporary
housing. As of December 2005, only 5,000 new homes had been
built.
Janice Olshesky, AIA, a member of the AIA National Committee on
Building Performance, was a member of the team the AIA Communities
by Design sent to survey the country and the devastated coastal
areas in May 2005. The team comprised four architects, two
planners, a civil engineer, and a landscape architect.
The survey team noted that all of the tsunami destruction was
primarily along the country’s east, south, and southwestern
coasts. The team witnessed much destruction along the coast line.
Destroyed housing and boats were everywhere. Often it was difficult
to tell what was destroyed, as there was nothing left. Wood
structures were completely destroyed and masonry structures were
wiped off their foundations and left in rubble. Entire communities
lost not only their homes but also the government buildings where
land records and other legal documents were kept. Entire
communities of victims are still living in tents and will have to
wait longer for housing until the government and organizations find
approved funding for new housing. The minister of housing reports
that much of the money that has been donated to date has
“strings” attached which is causing delays. Part of the
issues surrounding the monies is the peace process between the
Tamil tigers and the Sri Lankan government.
Natural defenses for tsunamis were removed in some areas. At the
Yala Safari Hotel, the sand dunes, obstructing the view of the
ocean, has been removed and the hotel is completely destroyed.
Sadly, a 30-foot wall of water obliterated the hotel and killed 250
people. The only thing remaining is the concrete slab.
While there are many significant issues to overcome, the most
controversial issue dealing with the reconstruction is the Sri
Lanka government’s proposal to set aside a 100 meter, no-build
zone along the country’s southern and western coasts in
addition to a 200 meter, no-build zone along the eastern coast.
There are many problems with this arbitrary no-build zone. In some
places, the geography does not require it and in other areas people
are already rebuilding their homes.
Team members prepared a report with their findings, and in February
2006 Kate Schwennsen, president of the AIA, presented the final
report to the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects. Click here to view the team's
presentation.
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