How The Resilient Floating House Project Is Battling Bihar's Devastating Floods

The Centre of Resilience, although in its nascent stage, is paving the way for a sustainable way of living and a regenerative future in Bihar. The idea and construction of the Centre of Resilience originated from the aim to address the land and water needs of the residents of Bihar.

In 2017-18 Prashant Kumar, an Indian social artist and activist, started working on the Bihar Project, a model for resilient housing, from the ground up. The team comprised almost entirely local people, men and women who are mostly indigenous farmers. These are people whose everyday lives are grounded in the real world and that enabled them to better understand the local areas needs.

Over the course of three years, the Bihar Project evolved into the Centre for Resilience, with its completion in the year 2020. Prashant Kumar joined hands with Ben Reid-Howells, a Canadian community organizer and international educator to build the foundations of the centre. The local people who aided the Bihar Project also now formed the core of the Centre of Resilience, with other new members joining along the way.

The Resilient Livelihood Program, is one of the Centre's three programs. In this program, participants and local community members aquire knowledge about social enterprise and upcycling design. The goal is for them to eventually establish their own businesses and make a positive impact in their respective communities. The other two programs carried out by the Centre are centred on Sustainable Living and Inclusive Wellbeing.

But of all the remarkable and forward-thinking work that Prashant Kumar and his team have been doing, since the inception of the Bihar Project, the Resilient Floating Housing Project certainly stands out. Located in the northeastern region of India, Bihar is the residence of more than 99 million individuals, a considerable number of whom are struggling with poverty. The yearly floods, which used to play a crucial role in Bihar's agricultural cycle, have become increasingly unmanageable due to the amplified impacts of global climate change. In recent times, Bihar has experienced especially devastating floods that have caused extensive damage to crops, livelihoods as well as the spread of diseases, and the displacement of entire villages belonging to marginalized communities. As a result, these affected, known as climate refugees, are considering migration and resorting to desperate measures to fulfill their basic needs.

It was to battle this crisis that the Resilient Floating Housing Project was initiated by the centre in 2019. It represents the first step towards creating independent, floating communities in India. The project aims to address the issue of displaced native farmers by providing them with skills training and the opportunity to maintain their traditional, sustainable way of life. It is a direct response to the growing impact of climate change-induced flooding, not just in Bihar but in various parts of the world.

The aim of the project is to tackle the intricate problems of climate injustice and systemic marginalization by adopting new and creative methods. Although there are existing housing models that can withstand floods, none of them adequately address interconnected issues like environmental impact and cost effectiveness while providing sustainable and long-lasting solutions. Therefore, their main goal is to create a prototype for affordable, modular, scalable, and self-sufficient floating housing. This housing will incorporate sustainable systems for energy, water, and food production and ensure the ability of the structure to withstand flood seasons and sustain livelihoods.

Conventional flood-resistant buildings are usually too expensive for communities that are at risk. The center's innovative design method combines modern engineering, recycling of waste materials, and traditional local construction techniques.

The floating homes will include renewable energy sources, systems for collecting water, methods for managing wastewater, the ability to produce a high amount of food, and the capacity to raise livestock. This will ensure that the homes are self-sufficient and able to withstand floods and other challenges related to the community's social and economic conditions.

Trainees from the Centre of Resilience, who are participating in the Resilient Livelihood Program, have taken the lead in the construction efforts. Despite facing challenges such as heat waves and power cuts, they have demonstrated dedication and perseverence. Working together with architects and designers, including Koen Olthuis from Waterstudio.NL, and and Andreas Muller-Hermann of the Meaalofa Foundation, they are creating a range of different superstructure designs. These include traditional bamboo structures as well as ones made from shipping containers. The goal is to accommodate the needs and preferences of various socioeconomic groups and cultural backgrounds. The first prototype platforms, made using recycled industrial plastic drums, represent a significant milestone in bringing their vision to life.

This groundbreaking Resilient Floating House Project aims to provide cost-effective floating housing while also serving as a larger blueprint for sustainable living; encompassing cultural strength and eco-friendly advancements. Despite the current financial constraints, their goal is to turn this vision into a tangible achievement through continued cooperation and assistance, providing optimism and stability to flood-impacted communities in Bihar and beyond.

It is ambitious and forward-thinking projects like these that require our unwavering support, especially in a time where climate remains the greatest danger we face as a civilization.

Find out more about The Centre of Resilience here.

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