Environmental adaptation and hazard reduction strategies in relocation housing development by its occupants case: Indo-Tiongkok housing, Neuheun Aceh Besar

Abstract

The construction of relocation housing is a form of housing assistance for victims of the 2004 tsunami, with various environmental designs. Indo-Tiongkok housing (Jacky Chan housing) is one of the relocation housing in the Neuheun area, designed with an approach adjusting the hilly topography. The disadvantage of building on contoured land is that it is susceptible to local erosion, which can damage buildings on the land (roads and buildings). This study reveals the phenomenon of environmental adaptation strategies by the community to reduce the risk of hazards in their home environment, and this is important to disclose to find out people’s attitudes and actions in maintaining the sustainability of their living space. The research method was in-depth interviews with the community to understand the understanding of environmental hazards and community strategies in reducing the risk of dangers that might occur. The information required relates to 2 things: 1) types of environmental hazards, risks, and patterns of threats; 2) attitudes and strategies of society to overcome these dangers. The results showed that the community understands the risk of hazards logically, by looking at signs of natural elements such as traces of erosion, and the impact on artificial elements (houses, soil, yard boundaries). The community strategy to reduce the risk of hazards is to combine various factors from engineering aspects (building materials and techniques), economic aspects, and suitability aspects of plant selection. Results showed that the strategy for adaptation patterns to the environment would appear in each occupant according to their problems and abilities so that the results of the appearance of the residential environment design would vary. This is so unique in the culture of living in each place, which will distinguish it from other places.