Some people reconstructed their houses using modern techniques, most commonly reinforced concrete
block masonry or reinforced concrete frames with infill. Others returned to more traditional ways of building,
particularly those that had proven to withstand the earthquake better, such as the dhajji dewari timber frames,
with timber battens and stone or earth infill. Each technique presented particular issues for achieving good
earthquake resistance, but the modern ones proved much more problematic.
UN-Habitat collaborated with ERRA on supporting owner-driven reconstruction. It found that with the modern
techniques builders had not followed ERRA guidelines and therefore had not met standards and introduced
safety risks in future quakes. A system of repairing common defects was needed for those houses. There were
fewer defects with the traditional types of construction, with which builders were more familiar, yet some still
made significant errors. It was found that the following factors are important to match construction standards to
needs:
• Introduce flexibility and do not make standards too rigid
• Set the standards at a level builders can achieve
• Explain to builders the principles on which standards are based. Illustrate this with diagrams or models that
people can check out for themselves
• Focus on training a small number of builders very well rather than a large number of builders superficially.
Rely on these well-trained builders to disseminate information and train other local builders and support
them to do this.
More on the difficulties and possibilities for implementing standards in owner driven reconstruction using
either traditional or modern techniques can be found in: Maggie Stephenson, Notes from Experience in Post-
earthquake Rural Housing Reconstruction in Pakistan, presented at the Building Back Better Workshop, Beijing,
China, July 2008, http://www.un.org.cn/public/resource/9330387be56a506bac9cae9aef6d5400.pdf
A manual was produced on dhajji dewari construction, including high quality drawings and photographs and
paying particular attention to showing potential mistakes and how to avoid them, see: Stephenson M. and
Schacher, T. Basic Training on Dhajji Construction, 13/12/2006, http://www.traditional-is-modern.net/LIBRARY/
SCHACHER-lessons/Schacher-DhajjiLesson(8.3.07)(s).pdf
Definitions
The terms building codes, specifications,
standards, regulations, by-laws are sometimes used
interchangeably. They do, however, have different
meanings and may be understood in a number of
ways by different people. Their definitions, however,
are by no means clear-cut. Some details on the key
terms are given below, mainly drawing from Yahya
et al (2001: Appendix 1). Other interpretations may
also be given in the literature:
Act (or Ordinance)
An act is a statutory governmental enactment,
authoritative decree or law to control the physical
development of the built environment. It can
only be amended by further legislature. Acts can
mandate specific organisations to produce or
amend building codes, standards and regulations,
and may also contain measures on how these would
be enforced.
By-law
A by-law is statutory and similar to an act, but is
enacted by a subsidiary legislative authority, such
as a municipal council. The term ‘building by-laws’
means local, not national building regulations.
14
Building Regulation (or Rule)
Building Regulations describe requirements for
buildings laid down by a responsible authority to
ensure the safety, hygiene, structural stability and
level of amenity compatible with environmental
and social requirements during the construction
and throughout the lifetime of a building. They
expand on Acts, but are statutory on their own.
These detailed rules may therefore address such
elements as site conditions and use, means of
access, lighting, ventilation, and disaster resistance
of buildings. Regulations are taken as mandatory
with transgressors required to put right any
violations, or face fines or even imprisonment.
Building inspectors check for compliance with the
regulations and usually have the powers to order
building works to be stopped, remedial measures
to be put in place to rectify minor transgressions or
complete demolition for serious breaches.
Building Code
Such codes provide practical, technical and
administrative rules and requirements for the
construction of buildings. Contrary to regulations,
they are advisory rather than statutory. In most
cases, mandatory issues are dealt with in
regulations, whereas the codes support regulations