BUILD CHANGE

Description

Build Change designs disaster-resistant houses and schools in emerging nations and trains builders, homeowners, engineers, and government officials to build them.

Build Change leaves in place permanent change in construction practice by building local skills and stimulating local demand.

After a major earthquake in a developing country, agencies typically build masses of houses that are not always culturally appropriate and sustainable in the local construction sector. Often, the homeowner is only minimally involved in the decision-making and construction process. The opportunity to build local capacity is often missed, and in many cases, the houses built after the funding and technical assistance cease are not earthquake-resistant. To overcome these challenges, Build Change applies local solutions, equal opportunity, technical excellence, incentives for the local economy, local capacity growth, and job creation to support communities in becoming more resilient.