'Build Change'
Earthquake-proof homes
Source: SciDev net
A project to design earthquake-proof homes in the developing world has won a US$100,000 award for life-enhancing innovations. Elizabeth Hausler, chief executive and founder of the non-profit organisation Build Change, based in the United Sates, received the 2011 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability last month (10 May) for designing disaster-resistant buildings inChina, Haiti and Indonesia. The lack of building standards in many developing countries leads to poorly designed buildings that collapse when earthquakes or other natural disasters strike. During reconstruction efforts, Build Change works with residents to improve the safety of new homes. It also works with local governments to ensure that building rules take disasters into account. The organisation has helped build almost 18,500 homes and trained more than 4,000 construction professionals and school children.
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