ALL FOR ONE
SDES 9210 Critical Approaches to Design Practice
Assessment 2: Analytical study of natural disaster Qing He z5123897
Introduction In 20th September 2017, there is a 6.5 magnitude earthquake happened in North West Tanzania at local time 2:10 pm around Bukoba, 500 people are effected in the earthquake and are removed from the disaster area to the shelter area which is about 271km from Bukoba town. To appropriately help people settle down, our team is attempted to prepare a plan for the disaster. The principle of our team is “all for one, one for one”; and, the concept for this project is to help people have better living condition but maintain their lifestyle and culture, and help them to achieve self-sufficiency in the end. As the object designer in the team, to bring convenience to people and satisfy the needs of people based on different situations are the main purposes in my consideration. Hence, in order to create an understanding of the area and people, I did some research at the first stage, including weather, food, culture, and health care. Fig 1: 14 dead, 200 injured in Tanzania earthquake (South China Morining Post 2016)
Weather
Food
Culture
Health care
Altitude is one of the factors that influence the climate in Tanzania, because every 1000m you climb, the temperatures drop by about 6.5 degree centigrade; thus, coast is the hottest and most humid part, and other low-lying areas are also hot but much less humid (safari bookings, n.d.). The season in Tanzania is divided into two parts, the dry season is from June to October, which means the rainfall is nearly zero and the humidity is low; the wet season is from November to May, during this period, although the timing of the rain is unpredictable as it may even happen in October, the rainfall is higher than the dry season, and the temperature is lower (safari bookings, n.d.).
Starches play an important role in Tanzanian diet, such as millet, sorghum, beans, pilaf, and cornmeal; and, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, cassava, spinach and other greens, and maize are also the main foods (food in every country, 2001). But, it is not saying that Tanzanian do not eat meat, people also eat fish, beef, goat, chicken, or mutton stew or fried pieces of meat (countries and their cultures, n.d.).
Swahili and English are the official languages in Tanzania (countries and their cultures, n.d.). Islam is the main religion in Tanzania, a research mentioned that “virtually 100 percent of the people in Zanzibar are Muslim; on the mainland, about 40 percent are Christian, 35 percent are Muslim, and 20 percent follow indigenous religions” (countries and their cultures, n.d.). In addition, the status of men is higher than women in a family that men are the one who make important financial and political decisions for the family (countries and their cultures, n.d.)
Health care is a significant problem, especially in areas which have poor medical treatments and poor knowledge about health. In Tanzania, the challenge is on numerous health problems and diseases, including Malaria (Tanzania flu), plasmodium falciparum (countries and their cultures, n.d.), typhoid fever, yellow fever, AIDS, etc. (Sylvester, 2015).
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may caused by
may caused by
Health problem
Open wounds
After the consideration of the data from the research, I decided to pay attention on health care and developed the design, because I think health problem becomes more important for people after disaster, and I aim to use my design to decrease the risk of disease. The diagram in the right is a brainstorming which describes my ideas and thoughts about the possibilities of health problem in Tanzania after the earthquake.
• Bacterial infection • People may get hurt in earthquake (not too bad to go to the hospital) or hurt themselves by accident
may caused by
Initial consideration and research
Bad environment after earthquake
Pool medical treatment
weather
Unstable and unpredictable weather Because there only has temporary shelter hence the medical treatment is limited
Basic medical kit? (a container which can carry basic medicines and tools, and convenient to carry) or a device/equipment which is set at the medical station and contain basic medical tools and medicines. So that people can according to their needs to take suitable tools (the simple tutorial is needed in the beginning)
People may get cold because they don’t wear enough cloths or don’t have equipment to remove moisture
Starting point: something can keep warm or protect people’s body in bad weather
Wearable blanket? Waterproof/windp roof object?
Water pollution
Food pollution
Soil pollution
insect
Mosquito (transmit parasite)
People may have to find water in somewhere far from the shelter, or not too far from the shelter, or have to filtrate water
Malaria (Tanzania flu)
Starting point: object/device that can provide clean water (but water is scarce resource)/someth ing to clean hands before touch food/body, something they can remove dirty away
may can’t take crop from that field. Have to change a new place to farming (if it’s necessary)
Starting point: something that can carry water easier/can filtrate water (sterilization)
Water container?/system? (easy to carry, light in weight)
The existing foods may can not eat directly because they are not clean enough
Even there’ll provide fast food (transported by helicopter) to people, or provide raw materials of food to people and then they can cook it directly, the food container should be necessary
Food container? (for people to carry food cleaner and convenient)
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Based on the brainstorming and the consideration, the object I decided to design is a container which can both hold food and water, it contains food and water in a cleaner environment and is convenient for people to use and carry. The research of relevant designs of food and water container is divided into two parts, the first part focuses on the design of food container and water container in general situation, and the second part is on the design of the container for disaster. The reason is that the aim of the design will concentrate on the reusability and durability of the container, as some designs for disaster may do not pay attention on these purposes. First part – general container design Water container
Fig 2: Colapz camping water carrier (Bryan 2016)
• Folding bucket • Light in weight, small in volume • Has handle (but the handle may cause hands feel uncomfortable because it is a little thin) • Has tap: easy to pour water out
Food container
Fig 3: wastemaster – 38 Litres (Towsure n.d.)
• Bucket with wheels: easy to move or carry • May can not carry too much water because of its shape; but, also because of the shape the bucket may does not need too much space
Fig 4: LUNCH POT single (DesignWright n.d.)
• Food container with handle and eating utensils (spoon for example) • the handle makes the container easy to carry • the area of containing food is limited, hence the container with small grids is better
Fig 5: Bentology Bento Box 6 Piece (n.d.)
Fig 6: LunchBots Trio Stainless Steel Food Container (LunchBots n.d.)
• Plastic or stainless steel/aluminium food container with cover • Has small grids that can contain different kinds of food • Aluminium is easier to clean, but plastic may lighter than aluminium
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Second part – container design for disaster
Fig 8-9: solar treating and water heating device (n.d.)
Fig 7: urgent reusable lunchbox (Li & Zhu & Liu n.d.)
The first example is a design of urgent reusable lunchbox. The external material is recycled food-grade PP with water and oil resistant coating; the material of the shell is Chinese bamboo because of its light weight, and the construction of the shell is flat-pack; besides, the lunchbox can be burned after using, the idea is suitable for the disaster area with colder climate (Li & Zhu & Liu, n.d.). Furthermore, the internal surface has 10 protective layers, that can be removed to achieve reusable (Li & Zhu & Liu, n.d.).
The second example is the solar sterilizer designed by Solvatten used to clean the contaminated water. The material of the sterilizer is clear plastic, and the way of use it is same as the way people use clear plastic bottle to sterilize water. So, people just need to pour water into the container, open the container like a book and put it under the sunlight, and then wait for the information from the built-in thermal indicator to tell you when the water is safe to drink. (Goodier, 2012)In addition, the black backing of the container helps to absorb more sunlight (Goodier, 2012)
But, the reusability and durability is limited, because the quantity of the layers of the lunchbox is limited and the another main function of the lunchbox is burn for warmth.
The sterilizer save the time and increase the safety of water, but compared with clear plastic bottle, it has a higher cost.
Fig 10: brick LEGO homes (Psychic Factory n.d.)
The third example is a brick-like module which can used to contain food and water and used to build the shelter designed by Psychic Factory. At the beginning, the module is full with water and food and donated to victims; when the module becomes to empty, the soil will be filled into the module, and then the module will as the brick for temporary shelter (Seth, 2011). The design considered dual function but may ignored the reusability. Once the module is used to build the shelter, the dual function may become meaningless; and, even it will be recycled after using, it may hard to carry food and water again as it is full with soil previously, unless the situation of cleaning is already considered. 4
• • • • • •
What material locals use to carry water? What is the habit of taking water of locals? Do locals try other way to carry water? Do they use eating utensils? What is the material of the food container? How many kinds of main food they usually eat?
Hence, the further research is taken to gain more information about the tradition and life in Tanzania, including eating habits and the way of carrying and finding water.
Way of carrying and finding water Traditionally, people bring water by head from waterholes and ponds using plastic buckets or pots (global development, 2011). But, because of water shortage, it will take long time to find water; and because of the terrain, sometimes people will carry heavy buckets and climb to their hilltop village (Madamombe, 2007). Hence, many water projects are exist in today’s Tanzania to help local people solve the water problem, for example, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) solved the water problem in Lusala, Tanzania by using gravity to tap water from a higher point and then water can naturally flow down through the pipes into a reservoir, and people can take water near their house because there has 11 points of the water tap (Madamombe, 2007).
Fig 12: Traditional foods of Tanzania (Tcg1111 n.d.)
By considering these designer’s works and the culture and environment in Tanzania, some questions are mentioned about the idea.
Fig 11: Ugali (Chen n.d.)
Further consideration and research
Eating habits In Tanzania, people must wash their hands before eating (Heeb, 2015), because traditionally they directly use hands to eat food; and, locals use right hands while eating because they think left hand is unclean (Buzz Kenya, n.d.). Besides, although eating utensils are used for most food in Tanzania today (Gilman, n.d.), some dishes still need to use fingers (Heeb, 2015). And, I also searched the way locals contain food and the shape and style of the local food container, that people use normal plate to contain food, and there also has the plate with small grids.
Fig 13: Children of poor subsistence farmers rarely have enough food to meet their nutritional needs. Compassion centers provide them regular, well-balanced meals (compassion n.d.)
Fig 15: women carry water (Maasai children education n.d.) Fig 16: man carry water (Gain Canada 2016 )
Fig 14: Villagers work together to build and maintain their water system (Ouma 2007)
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Development and analysis From the research, the design idea is built by some drafts, which are shown below. The shape of the container is similar as the vacuum bottle, it is dismountable and is equally divided into two parts. The top part is made up of two smaller cylindrical containers in same size which are used to contain food, and these containers are connected by a bidirectional sealed cap; the bottom part is a single cylindrical bottle to save water. I considered to create a small circle groove in the bottom of the top part, and reference the neck of mineral water bottle for the bottom bottle to create a raised part which can exactly join into that circle groove to connect the two parts of the container together. Furthermore, to carry it easily, I considered to make an elastic band on the middle of the body of the container, it is dismountable and has a long strap which can be placed on the shoulder. And, combined with the health care problem, a spoon will be added to avoid the bacteria carried by hand into mouth (as the hands may cannot completely clean); the spoon can be carried by inserting in the gap between the elastic band and the container.
Size: Capacity: 1.2L (as similar as the capacity of vacuum bottle) Height: 15cm Diameter: 12-13 cm
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SWOT analysis of the design Material consideration The consideration of material focuses on the possibility of local material and local material manufacturing according to the time and cost saving, and because of our team’s purpose for the project is to create a self-sufficient environment for people. Due to the reusability and durability of the container, natural materials such as plant fibre may not suitable for producing the object, so, I considered to use plastic such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PP (polypropylene), or stainless steel as the main material for the container. The first reason is that PET is safe, non-toxic, strong, lightweight, and flexible material which is usually used for water and soda bottle container (eco star, n.d.), and, PP and stainless steel are the common material for food container; secondly, the cleaning of the container made by these materials is easier by using soap and hot water (PETRA, n.d.); the third reason is on the reusability of these materials. Thus, through the research, there have several local companies who have ability to manufacture PET and PP material and produce product such as food container and water bottle by these materials; but, although there have stainless steel manufacturers, the suitable information for stainless steel container producing is temporarily not applicable. However, ignoring time and cost saving, stainless steel is a material with high durability. In addition, during the research of local material, I found that cotton can be the material to make the elastic band of the container, because firstly, cotton is one of the main crops in Tanzania (our Africa, n.d.), and the second reason is that cotton is the main material for making the African traditional cloth “kanga”, which is worn mainly by women in Tanzania and east (Nassrulla, 2015). So, the cost of the material will be lower and the manufacture will be easier. Further consideration In fact, the another reason why I choose clear PET plastic as the material for water container is on the consideration of solar sterilization. Based on the research, the cheapest way to use solar to clean the contaminated water is leave water into a plastic bottle and place it in the sunlight for few hours, because the microbes can be killed under the UV radiation and heat (Goodier, 2012). And, according to previous research of the weather, most days during the dry season in Tanzania are sunny day, thus there has the possibility on solar sterilization. But, the problems are that the sunny day is not cover the whole year; and, the temperature and time of solar sterilization would be hard to control because of the influence of nature and inexperienced people; besides, the attached tool may need to decrease the time of sterilization, such as put the bottle on the black-painted roof (BBC News, 2006) to increase the absorbance of sunlight. Or, unless use the technique from Slovatten example (aforementioned) that has a built-in thermal indicator and a black surface.
Strengths
Weaknesses
• Light weight • Easy and convenient to carry and use • Contain both water and food • Reusability and durability • Low cost • Decrease the possibility of bacteria infection
• Usable material is limited • The function of water filtration is limited • The design of the eating utensil is not considered • The durability of the cotton band may not long
Opportunities
Threats
• Further consideration of • the quality of local the use of material and manufacturing the design • The influence of nature • May can use rubber band • The influence of people’s to replace the cotton band habits (although the eating • Design an spoon-shaped utensils are used in eating, groove on the body of the the use of hands in eating container to contain eating is still an irreplaceable utensil maybe habit)
Summary Briefly, based on the environment and situation, the design of the object will focus on reusability and durability; and, because of the limited condition, further development will be produced according to more considerations and researches, as my aim, to satisfy people’s needs based on different situations. 7
Referencing list Figures Figure 1: South China Morning Post 2016, ‘14 dead, 200 injured in Tanzania earthquake’, digital image, South China Morning Post, 11 Sep, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2018421/14-dead-200-injured-tanzania-earthquake Figure 2: Bryan, SR 2016, Colapz Camping Water Carrier £29.00, digital image, camping with style, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/glamping-essentials-to-pimp-your-next-campingtrip/ Figure 3: Towsure n.d., Wastemaster – 38 Litres, digital image, digital image, Towsure, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://www.towsure.com/wastemaster-38-litres Figure 4: DesignWright n.d., LUNCH POT single, black+blum, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://black-blum.com/products/lunch-pot-single Figure 5: Bentology Bento Box 6 Piece Multi Compartment Lunch Box & Lids 2L n.d., digital image, Amazon, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bentology-Bento-Piece-MultiCompartment/dp/B01DF3TKC2/ref=sr_1_99?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1477148556&sr=1-99-spons&keywords=lunch-box&psc=1 Figure 6: LunchBots Trio Stainless Steel Food Container - Three Section Design Perfect for Healthy Snacks, Sides, or Finger Foods On the Go - Eco-Friendly, Dishwasher Safe and BPA-Free - All Stainless n.d., digital image, Amazon, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://www.amazon.com/LunchBots-Trio-Stainless-Steel-Container/dp/B0044R7VUC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1505839595&sr=810&keywords=stainless+steel+food+container Figure 7: Li, JJ & Zhu, YT & Liu, RM n.d., Urgent Reusable Lunchbox/packaging, digital image, World Design Guide, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://ifworlddesignguide.com/entry/185491-urgent-reusablelunchbox Figure 8-9: Solvatten Solar Treating and Water Heating Device n.d., digital image, Kopernik, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://kopernik.info/technology/solvatten-solar-treating-and-water-heating-device# Figure 10: Psychic Factory n.d., brick LEGO homes, digital image, Yanko Design, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://www.yankodesign.com/2011/11/18/brick-lego-homes/
Figure 11: Chen, HL n.d., Ugali, digital photograph, Wildlife Safari Adventures, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://wildlifesafariadventures.com/traditional-foods-of-tanzania Figure 12: Tcg1111 n.d., Traditional Foods of Tanzania, digital photograph, Wildlife Safari Adventures, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://wildlifesafariadventures.com/traditional-foods-of-tanzania Figure 13: Compassion n.d., Children of poor subsistence farmers rarely have enough food to meet their nutritional needs. Compassion centers provide them regular, well-balanced meals, digital photograph, Compassion, accessed 19 Sep 2017, https://www.compassion.com/tanzania/tanzania-map.htm Figure 14: Ouma, S 2007, Villagers work together to build and maintain their water system, digital photograph, Africa Renewal, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april2007/water-betters-lives-tanzania Figure 15: Maasai Children Education n.d., women carry water, digital photograph, Maasai Children Education, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://www.maasaichildreneducation.org/projects/tanzania-village-waterproject/ Figure 16: Gain Canada 2016, man carry water, digital photograph, Gain, accessed 19 Sep 2017, http://globalaid.net/blog/more-than-clean-water
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