How to Design a Proper Village

              The way a community style village should be designed is much like that of a temporary shelter, by combining the area’s standards and regulations with people’s needs and wants. The FEMA village’s atmosphere is much like that of a campground: therefore, “the [main] objective is the creation of a total environment, both physical and social, in which the camper can achieve a satisfying recreational experience” (Moss, 1985, p. 1).  Due to David J. Reed, the first step when designing a campground, is to discover individuals’ needs and wants through researching the area’s demographics (population, sex, ages, race, education levels, and poverty) (Reed, 1979). 

             The reason for using data from 2000 is to simulate a circumstance that could occur in New Orleans in the event of a future “Katrina.”  The second step is to discover the opinions of the users and what is needed in a village setting.  Discovering the users’ opinions, Snepenger believes that different camping styles occur in four life cycles (7-17, 18-29, 30-39, and 40-54).  In addition, “Snepenger also revealed that those in the more advanced life stages were interested in the more developed styles of camping in their late years” (Moss, 1979, p. 2).

Image I - An example of a campground style layout and design

These categories, for the Lower Ninth Ward, were found using the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.  In 2000, the population of the Lower Ninth was 14,008 people, 53.7% of which were female.  Of those 14, 008 people, 30.7% were under the age of 18, 41.4% were between 18 and 49, and 27.9% were 50 or older.  In addition, of the 14, 008 people, 98.3% were African Americans, 0.5% was Caucasians, and 1.2% was other.  In the Lower Ninth Ward, the level of education varied within the 9,720 people under the age of eighteen.  These levels include: 11% having less than a 9^th grade education, 29.1% having between a 9^th and a 12^th grade education, but no diploma, 29.7% having a high school diploma, 24.2% having an Associates degree, and only 6% having a Bachelors degree or higher.  In addition, the Lower Ninth Ward had a poverty percentage of 36.4, making it one of the poorest areas in New Orleans.  In addition, there were 4, 820 occupied housing units, 32.4% of which did not own any form of transportation (Lower Ninth Ward, 2000). 

                When designing a community village, it is imperative to incorporate sustainable features into the design.  These elements, found in nature, would consist of the sun’s energy, precipitation, and vegetation.  A unique way to collect the sun’s energy is the use of solar trees.  A solar tree, designed by Ross Lovegrove and his lighting company Artemide, is used not only to collect the sun’s energy but to blend these structures into the built environment by shaping them like trees.  These trees consist of 360 solar cells, which are able to store energy despite being exposed to a cloudy day. 

              In 2005, the Australian city of Graz, using solar trees, saved a total of 524, 000 KWh of electricity equaling savings of $96, 800.  In addition, to add to the solar trees success, they also are equipped with batteries cells to allow the solar trees, to not only run off the energy it collects, but to store the unneeded energy to be used on cloudy days.  At night, to conserve energy, the tree uses a sensor to mesure the amount of light in the atmosphere and trigger the solar lamps to go on automatically at sunset and off at sunrise" (Burgermeister, 2007, para. 11).  In addition to providing security and decreasing energy production to a newly ravaged area, these solar trees will provide seating for the inhabitants in the gathering, courtyard, and playground areas. 

Image 2 - A solar tee providing exterior lighting, as well as seating

                In the highly populated area of New Orleans, it would be beneficial to collect the rainwater.  To manage the area’s storm water, as well as collecting and purifying the area’s high precipitation levels, porous pavement is a practical option.  In addition, there are many aspects that make it a very cost-effective solution.  Traditional paving ranges in cost from $0.50 to $1 per square foot.  However, porous pavement is slightly higher, ranging from $2 to $3 per square foot.  The higher cost is affected by its lifespan and its ability to purify incoming water. 

             With minimal maintenance and abuse, porous pavement can last up to 20 years.  In some cases, only small cracks occur after the 20 year threshold.  To respond to the amount of maintenance, only a monthly inspection is needed to ensure the pavers are free from blockage. When properly maintained, these pavers are able to remove 65% of certain pollutants from the water, such as harmful metals, TP (total phosphorus), and TSS (total suspended solids) (Stormwater Management, n.d.).  By doing this, the water entering the water table and nearby wells is less polluted. 

             To purify the rainwater, “the precipitation [would] drain through the porous asphalt and into the stone bed. [From there,] it will slowly infiltrate into the soil” (Porous Asphalt, n.d., para.1).  From there, the water can then be collected in cisterns, where it could be used to water the village’s landscaping and other greywater applications (Porous Asphalt, n.d.).    However, because of its porous quality, the location of the pavement is best in areas of moderate traffic to minimize debris.  In addition, porous pavement should not be located in storm-water hotspots, such as fueling stations, industrial cleaning facilities, and recycle facilities, to minimize the potential groundwater contamination (Stormwater Management, n.d.).

Image - A diagram of how Porous pavement works

               An area’s landscaping, if designed in a proper manner, can mediate the feel of the overall environment.  The choices include the type of materials used, the types and location of vegetation, and the types and location of water features.  These choices can help determine the experience the inhabitants have while living in a shelter village`.  When designing an area’s landscaping, it is imperative to take in account how the material’s characteristics affect the inhabitant’s visual interest.  When choosing the type of materials, it is important to take in account the color (warm, cool, bright, or dull), texture (course or fine), and form (heavy or light) to help convey a specific design intent.  The location of certain vegetation can modify the area’s relative humidity; create boundaries to improve privacy and safety, and to showcase desirable vistas.  Much like the materials used, the size, color, and texture of the vegetation used can greatly affect the inhabitants’ mood.  In addition, the fragrance of the vegetation can create a soothing, calm feel.  In the hot-humid environment of New Orleans, water features can be used as a cooling element. 

Image 4 - They type of vegetation that would be used in a shelter village

In addition, water can be used to help drown out the area’s unwanted white noise, as well as providing excellent visual opportunities.  In many cultures, water is used as a means of relaxation and the purification of the body; therefore, symbolizing a new beginning for the inhabitants.  When combining vegetation, man-made materials, and water features, there is a need to find a balance between human and environmental issues (McClure, 2007).

Imgae 5 - An example of the type of water feature that would be used with a shelter village



Text 

Burgermeister, J. (2007, December 21). Introducing the Solar Tree. Retrieved November 10,

2010, from http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/introducing-the-solar-tree-50934.

Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood. (2000). The Community Data Center. Retrieved August

     23, 2010, from http://www.gnocdc.org/orleans/8/22/index.html

McClure, W. (2007). The Built Environment: Collaboratove Inquiry into Design and

     Planning. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Moss, A. (1985). A Study an Analysis of Campers Preferences for Campground Environments

     Among Three Age Groups.

Reed, D. (1979). Park Planning and Design: An Evaluation Approach. Virginia: National

            Recreation and Park Association.

Stormwater Management Fact Sheet: Porous Pavement. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2010,

     from http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Assprted_Fact_Sheets/Tool6_Stormwater_Practices/

     Infiltration_Practices/Porous_Pavement.htm

Images

Image 1 - http://www.ohiorvcamp.com/upload/image/most%20recent%20map.jpg 
Image 2 - http://www.treehugger.com/Solar%20Tree.jpg

Image 3 - http://www.mytorontohomeimprovement.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/permeable-

                 pavement.JPG

Image 4 - http://matthewgallaway.typepad.com/.a/6a01156e650ae8970c0115714065c3970c-800wi

Image 5 - http://www.drinkingwaterfountains.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/london-parks-will-have-

                 new-drinking-water-fountains.jpg