Permanent shelter
Practical Action
Thoroughly assess the social environment and accessibility giving attention to;
Land-use
Land ownership
Built environment
Views and scenery
Rural environment
Landscape types
Population
Historical development
Land value (selling price per
pitch etc)
Landscape character
Unique areas and features
A land-use analysis can highlight the various limitations and resources of the land and their
implications on the design of neighbourhoods, houses, infrastructure and services. It will lead to
the formulation of an integrated land-use plan (through a comparative analysis) which will
maximise the needs and aspirations identified through the Situational Assessment of the
Communities.
Comparative Analysis - to match the community’s needs and availability
Of physical resources
Following on from the situational assessment of the community and the utility assessment of the
land, a comparative analysis needs to be undertaken. This will enable an assessment of the
potential of the site, based on the relationship between the physical characteristics of the site
(from the utility assessment) and the user requirements (from the situational assessment).This
may require some elements of the physical characteristics of the site to be changed to allow a
better match between the users and the site.
Particular emphasis needs to be paid to the requirements of the people who will reside in and
use the site giving due consideration to diversity of age, gender and disability.
An environmental impact assessment needs to be carried out of the proposed activities on the
site, taking into account;
Site assets
Site liabilities
The impact of the proposed built environment on the ecology of the site and its
surroundings
Conservation
Sustainability of the eco-system
Formulation of the neighbourhood land-use map and district level master plan
Land-use map
Subsequent to the comparative analysis a land-use map can be drawn for permanent housing.
The map needs to be a balance between human requirements and the need to ensure the
conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. The final land-use map should be
drawn up only after evaluating a conceptual map and one or several alternative concepts.
Components of a Land use map
Residential.
Family home, cluster of houses, block apartments, care units for specific social group
such as the elderly.
Educational establishments.
Commercial and retail establishments.
Industrial establishments.
To accommodate the diverse range of livelihoods engaged in by the community.
Infrastructure and services.
Roads, water supply and drainage, sewerage, electricity, telecommunications
Government and semi-government establishments.
Health and social welfare establishments.
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