Infrastructure is the set of basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society to function. It refers to roads, water supply, waste water, flood management systems, communications (internet, telephone lines etc). Other infrastructural necessities to support a community may include a market or factory necessary for livelihood / income generation. The term ‘Infrastructure’ may also pertain to social services such as schools, hospitals and communal ablution blocks.
In the past, these systems were owned and managed by local or central governments. Although both private-sector or government could develop and operate infrastructure, they are commonly referred to as ‘Civil infrastructure’, ‘Municipal infrastructure’ or ‘Public works’.
All SHF’s social housing projects – whether new, pilots, upgrading or realised housing programmes – take infrastructure into account in the early planning stage. After the 2004 tsunami, SHF assisted in the rebuilding of Inspector Eatham, a village in South-Eastern Sri Lanka. There we realised 52 houses, 1 community centre, 52 rainwater harvesting tanks, 43 Eco toilets, 5 dug wells, 4 tube wells and repaired 3 wells. When making the village plans we incorporated issues such as: roads, electricity, communal water points and fencing to protect the villagers from roaming elephants. Sri Lanka contends with seasonal monsoon flooding therefore gutters, culverts and rain harvesting tanks were specific issues in this programme. In other present projects in Kenya and Southern Sudan, particular attention is paid to infrastructure. One must think of ablution blocks, clean water supplies and bio-digesters. SHF works with local partners, governmental and municipal institutions; and in the case of the elephant fences in Sri Lanka with the Wild Life Department.
SHF and INFRASTRUCTURE
Bolivia
Our integral habitat program focuses on community-based development. This refers not only to house improvement but also to general life conditions on the infrastructure level, such as hygiene, water and sanitation and energy supply. To achieve this integral habitat approach and make use of local knowledge, Solid House Foundation Bolivia works together with partners who are specialised in the above mentioned topics.
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Kenya- Nakuru
The urban renewal and upgrading programme in Nakuru is not only dealing with improved housing, but also with water and sanitation, roads, parking space and landscaping. The programme is currently in a development phase in which we cooperate with the residents and municipality to incorporate their views, vision, wishes and possibilities about their neighbourhood development in the programme.
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Kenya-School sanitation
The school sanitation programme provides schools, depending on their needs, with improved and safe access to water, toilet facilities and hygiene awareness. The infrastructure consists of an ablution block, a bio digester, which transfers human excreta into biogas, and promoting of rain water harvesting methods (gutters, water tanks).
Sudan
The programme provides schools, depending on their needs, with improved and safe access to water, toilet facilities and hygiene awareness, as well as sustainable energy sources, which can be used for cooking, heating and lighting purposes. The infrastructure consists of water and sanitation facilities, gutters, rain water harvesting tanks, etc.
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