Peter Newton, Chairman of Architecture Sans Frontieres (ASF), and his Board were faced with a challenging decision to make recently. For the first time ever their long planned 2015 annual General Assembly meeting was to be held outside of Europe, and Kathmandu, Nepal had been the chosen location. The date: 15 June, less than 2 months after the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal in almost a hundred years.
More than 8,000 people were killed, 23,000 injured and entire villages across many districts of the country were decimated along with centuries-old buildings at UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
Writing from his base in Oxford, England, Mr Newton explains: “This was not an easy decision to come to, weighing up the various issues with the complex and changing situation in Nepal. The final consideration was to show solidarity with our members in Nepal and the people of Kathmandu as they work to recover from the devastating earthquakes that have hit the country in these last several weeks”.
What an ironic twist of fate. Of course the decision had to be to stick to plans; here is an apolitical, not for profit, organization that’s very purpose is concerned with social justice, the cultural and environmental aspects of architecture and the conservation of the human and physical heritage aspects of the built environment. Their aims are to ‘enable vulnerable and marginalised communities to have access to architectural services, research and educational resources in order to enhance their resilience and challenge inequality.’
ASF is established in 28 other countries, Macau being only the second in Asia, and the first one in China. Founding President Dominic Choi (see August article under News on this site) is eager to welcome new members to get involved in humanitarian projects with local and regional communities. Their raison d’être is in the support of sustainable development initiatives, and to promote self-sufficiency for disadvantaged people and neighbourhoods. Here in Macau, much focus has been on inclusive access, accessibility for all – from wheel chairs to even the often piled-high push carts we see on our roads – and to valuing cultural diversity and heritage. Dominic and his members have collaborated with the cultural department in the fascinating exercise of recording the old techniques in construction, such as old methods of plastering in the Mandarin House and at the Fortress walls, to help teach and preserve the skills amongst the local Macau people.
ASF Macau has ventured further afield too. Project Yolanda, for example, is in Roxas in Philippines. Through generous donations of Macau based individuals, schools, institutions and companies, funds have been raised to pay for the building of two classrooms at the Dumolog National High School. Work commenced in July. Other items such as books, computers, bookshelves, ceiling fans, even two electrical generators have been donated. Potential donors are being sought for provision of solar panels and a clean water project that makes use of the traditional pitch roofs in the area for collecting rain. For further information on this and other ASF Macau initiatives: [email protected]
