Customs and Cultural Practices

Customs and Cultural Practices

When implementing WASH, cultural practices are the most critical issue to understand. Afia Zakiya writes in her for Development in Practice:

53. Architecture

'sanitation includes the physical environment as well as social, cultural, and temporal factors that operate as fundamental contexts defining knowledge, behaviours, and decisions relating to problems of water supply and sanitation practices' (2014, p. 706).

As asserted already, self-determination through the implementation of low-tech, easily replicable systems is the overarching principle guiding this project. Without community collaboration, regional customs and cultural practices cannot be verified. However, the simple, low tech nature of the WASH systems allows for easy on-site adaption and expansion. However, the implementation of simple programmatic considerations will allow for primary cultural practices. As described in the functions, an amenities area that is both modest but connected ensures women feel comfortable using the facilities. For WASH principles to be successfully implemented in the community, modesty in toilet use is essential. Furthermore, Male toilets have not been included within the main facility. Instead, a separate male outhouse will be built to the south of the building, concealed by landscaping. The Women's House leverages off the traditional cultural value that segregates Women to household chores, particularly cooking (Hooper L. , et al., 2018, p. 2). Although this may reinforce, to a small degree, gender segregation, the early stages of this project focus on attendance, WASH and safety. Once these primary objectives have been fulfilled and the Women's House has become an uncontentious part of the village, there will be an opportunity to reassess the objectives. Furthermore, the architectural expression utilises vernacular inspired circular rooms and open spaces that encourage and nurture the ongoing practice of mutual aid and collaborative craft (Little, 1962).