Topic:
Critical Transitory Interface Between Traditional and Modern Dwelling Occupation and Behavior in Considering Urban Housing Designs for Indigenous Communities: A Case Study of the “Floating Architecture” of the Titan People of Manus.
RESEARCH PROJECT OVERVIEW
Vernacular Architecture as widely understood is the study of indigenous skills and knowledge hence this research project will be looking into the past and existing physical structures of the traditional sea-going vessels of the Titan People of Manus. From the study, this researcher will focus on the techniques in construction of the “Floating Home” and how space (Spatial Morphology) is being used within and expressed (Post Occupancy Evavaluation-PoE) throughout the lives of the people in the past and the changes today that might have occurred. The research project will also focus in documenting the process of constructing a typical sea going vessel, which is at the same time considered as a home to the indigenous locals whenever they travel distances away from their village. This is in respect to events and the use of space in the study of the Critical Transitory Interface BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND MODERN DWELLING OCCUPTION AND BEHAVIOUR IN CONSIDERING URBAN HOUSING DESIGNS FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
The research site selected for this Project covers three villages in Manus Province. These villages are within the "Titan" language speaking areas and are part of the Local Level Governments (LLGs) that make up to about 40% of the total Manus Population according to the PNG Census 2011 statistics. The villages as shown from the above Map are;
1. Pere Village (Nali Sopat/Penabu Rural LLG)
2. Mouk Village (Balopa Rural LLG)
3. M'Buke/Whal Village (Pobuma Rural LLG)
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
With the demands for adequate shelter or homes as a need for most Papua New Guineans, relating to the increase in population over the last ten years (NSO, 2011), there is greater need in the rural villages and urban towns of Papua New Guinea for shelter. Though architectural designs have been introduced and accepted by most locals, their lifestyles have been greatly affected contributing to the disappearance of these vessels in parts of Manus where the ‘Titans’ have settled for the last hundred years.
The need for shelter for an average Papua New Guinean equates to provision of a cost efficient or adequate housing for families, especially for the low income earners. Though this seems to be a logical theory, there is evidence that modernization throughout rural villages along the coast of Manus has greatly affected the lifestyle of the people. This study tries to bring to light the evidences and changes especially for the 'Titans' of Manus. Modernization has in many ways forced them to adapt modern ‘low cost designs’ for shelter that, in reality are quiet expensive to afford and maintain, compared to their traditional water plying vessels and their indigenous lifestyles.
The challenge will be the concluding outcome of this study in proposing what is required to maintain and enhance the lives of indigenous communities with similar lifestyles both in the rural and sub-urban setting. This is especially for their need of shelter in communities where Climate change effects and increase in population are a great concern.
Source: Climate Challenger Voyage : A blog about the 2012 traditional sailing voyage made by the Titan tribe of Manus Province, Papua New Guinea, connecting culture, conservation and climate change throughout the Pacific.
Source: Climate & Community :
The official channel of the Australian Government/AusAID-funded partnership "Building the Resilience of Communities and their Ecosystems to the Impacts of Climate Change in the Pacific"
"Moana" the Disney Film has a very close reference to the lifestyle of Seafarers that clearly depicts the use of the Sea going Vessels that are typically found in the neighboring regions especially the South Pacific and the South East Asia.
