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Emergency Shelter or On-site Shelter in Navajo Willow? – Desertification

Broadcast United News Desk

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Leonardo da Vinci inspired emergency shelter

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Imogen Mathers

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Leonardo da Vinci, the “Father of the Renaissance,” is often better known for his drawings of human anatomy and the animal world than for his architecture. But his buildings were equally groundbreaking in their blending of imagination and practical wisdom. Now, nearly 500 years after Leonardo’s death, a “reciprocal” floor design—a self-supporting structure made of three or more poles stacked one on top of the other—could transform shelter for disaster victims.

In this audio interview, we speak to charity director Shaun Halbertmutual benefit On applying Leonardo’s framework of reciprocity to humanitarian response. “Essentially, what we did was take a page from Leonardo da Vinci … and ask the question: ‘Well, if it’s strong enough for a floor, why not use it for a roof?’” Halbert said. The result is a sturdy roof that can support the tarpaulins that people displaced by emergencies are given in the days after a disaster — replacing the flimsy structures that people used to tend to build with whatever materials they had on hand.

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My comments (Willem Van Cotthem – Ghent University, Belgium)

Perhaps you’re interested in my idea for a living shelter using drought-tolerant Navajo willow (Salix matsudana used to be. Navajo)? Please watch my video:

Living tent greenhouse in dry land

No more plastic greenhouses or tunnels: Grow your own living greenhouse (tepee or tunnel) from branches of drought-tolerant Navajo willow, ball willow, or Chinese willow (Salix matsudana). People can grow these willows in drylands and even deserts with minimal water.

Such a greenhouse has significant advantages: natural shading can be achieved due to transpiration from the leaves, and the air humidity inside is high.

In arid or desert areas, people can easily grow plants, such as young fruit trees and vegetables, in greenhouses, which also provide shelter from the heat of the sun.

Outgrowths of the willow can be pruned to gradually build a new greenhouse.

author: William Van Cottum

Professor Emeritus of Botany, Ghent University (Belgium). Scientific advisor on desertification and sustainable development.



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