Design teams develop the layout, structural system and
construction materials for the safer school project. While
technical specialists ensure the functionality and safety
of the design, communities make other design decisions
and learn how design choices can increase the hazardresistance of the school.
• Conducting pre-design community consultation. The
design team and school management committee agree
on the goals of the school and how well it should perform
during hazard events.
• Finalising design. The design team finalises the design
in accordance with national codes or good practice
guidelines and seeks approval from local authorities.
• Select ing a construction management strategy.
Together, the school management committee and
program manager select a person or organisation to
oversee the construction process and make sure the
overseer remains accountable to the community and
funder. The school management committee may take this
role with appropriate support. Alternatively, the program
manager or a hired management company may take the
role.
• Drafting of schematic designs. The design team
creates a series of design alternatives from which the
school management committee selects their choice.
SECTION II: OVERVIEW
3. Key activities of the Community
Design Stage
Stage 3. Community design
Advantages
Challenges
Strategies
• Ensures community needs and
values guide project
• May perceive Design Stage
as too technical for community
involvement
Use culturally appropriate language to
communicate design alternatives. Clarify
how community involvement in design helps
the school address local concerns and
preferences while maintaining safety as the
top priority.
• Builds a common vision and
sense of ownership in the school
• Community consultation may
lengthen project times and
increase Design Stage costs
Develop a limited set of design alternatives
or a modular design that allows communities
to make decisions about layout in ways that
do not result in major changes to structural
design.
• Transfers hazard-resistant
design principles to community
• Housing and other community
construction substantially
different from school design
Strive to select a design that is at least
partially replicable in other community
construction. If the school materials
or construction techniques cannot be
replicated in housing and other local
construction, provide a separate training on
safer construction techniques applicable to
local construction.
• Safer school construction
may not be possible with local
materials
• Design team gains skills in
community engagement
• Design team deterred by the
extra effort in collaborative
design process
Develop orientation and training
programs for the design team to help
them communicate with communities
more effectively. Ensure project schedule
accommodates extra time for consultation
process.
• Local authorities improve their
knowledge of hazard-resistant
design
• Fears that a community-based
design process undermines the
power of local authorities
Invite local authorities to schematic design
reviews or to be members of the school
management committee. Seek approval for
design.
26