ACEH, INDONESIA (4 April 2008) - More than three years on from the devastating tsunami that struck Aceh in December 2004 and earthquake that hit Nias in March 2005, an ADB supported housing reconstruction scheme is gathering pace.

In total, ADB is providing $73 million to rehabilitate and reconstruct houses and community infrastructure in Aceh and Nias, as part of a $291 million ADB grant for the ADB supported Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project (ETESP).

In the process, innovative approaches have been adopted to reconcile traditional community values with modern housing needs.

In principle, housing is not an end in itself but a means to resettle the community as close as possible to the set up before the disaster.

ETESP has proven more time consuming than other projects due to its painstaking approach in confronting ownership and design issues at the start of construction.

The planning work starts with a village plan that takes into account the ecological and environmental aspects of the surroundings, developed jointly with each community.

However, this process initially created some frustration among communities concerned about the slow pace of ETESP on housing.

Out of the six villages (gampongs) selected to be pioneers under the project, four quickly dropped out fearing that the process would be too long-winded. That left Pande and Lamdingin in Aceh, both of which were completely destroyed in the tsunami disaster.

In Pande, located one kilometer inland just north of the Banda Aceh commercial center, the tsunami washed away the lives of more than two thirds of the original population of 1,139. Most of the inhabitants made meager livings as employees on fish farms, fisherfolk, or in small scale activities such as becak (pedicabs) drivers and street vendors.

A total of 153 households were identified as eligible for housing grants under the project. The village plan and individual house designs were prepared with the full involvement of the community. Ecological aspects were taken into account, in particular the planning of ecological water purification ponds and the construction of compost (waste) gardens.

An area was also identified for a Nipa garden, which can be used in traditional building, and also serves as an ideal environment for crab fisheries. The plan is also based on minimal disruption of the existing land ownership patterns.

In contrast to Pande, Lamdingin, which lies on the east side of the Kreung Aceh (river) about 500 meters from the sea at its nearest, is more urban and cosmopolitan in nature and included larger structures for the more affluent inhabitants.

The tsunami disaster claimed about half of the village's 4,326 residents and more than 90% of the houses in some areas. Under the ETESP, 441 households qualified for new housing and a further 119 for a rehabilitation grant.

The village faced more complex problems than Pande. Because of strong family relationships, some houses were linked together to form a larger family cluster. Also, some families were renting property, making the issuing of cash grants problematic.

In both locations, innovative approaches had to be adopted to deal with the small plot sizes. The most common solution was to build a second floor for one bedroom. Total floor area could then be kept to more than 36 square meters that is required under the national standard.

Since the houses were built, owners have taken pride in customizing or extending their small houses or otherwise added touches of home comforts.

Meanwhile, in Nias Selatan, hit by an earthquake three months after the tsunami disaster, traditional communal houses still play an important role, while increasing numbers are opting to stay in more urban private houses. But under the ETESP, all traditional houses will be rehabilitated where possible.

Six different designs came out of a process, again carried out with the close participation of the villagers. If the plot is narrow, half of the total floor area will be at the upper level. This gives access to the rear of the plot. Roof space is similar to the traditional South Nias house.

ADB experts have been working closely with local community in four villages in Nias to develop a design acceptable to those who want to switch from living in a communal house to a private setting. The challenge was to match the design with the traditional surroundings.