The Tragedy of the Developer (Part II)

Imposing our own ideals on other cultures is not the answer.


In India I came across a charity who were rebuilding concrete homes for a community that traditionally lived in shelters with very low ceilings made from wood and leaves. These shelters were washed away in heavy rain, so the charity had stepped into help. However the local villagers could not accept these alien buildings made, with their high ceilings and electricity. So they rebuilt their own homes out of materials they could understand and trust, leaving the concrete buildings empty. 


   


Traditional town dwelling near Orccha, India vs. Imposed western ideals