The Building and Construction Improvement Program (BACIP) aims to improve housing in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan through seismic retrofitting and new construction techniques. Over 90% of existing housing is non-engineered and at high risk from earthquakes. BACIP developed over 60 solutions focused on seismic resilience, thermal efficiency, and indoor air quality. It conducted demonstration projects and trained masons. Evaluations found housing was safer and more comfortable, with reduced maintenance costs. While 253 buildings have been constructed, high costs remain a barrier to widespread adoption. Overall, BACIP has successfully developed and promoted techniques to improve housing safety and living conditions in Gilgit Baltistan.

1. Building and Construction Improvement Program
Nawab Ali Khan
January 15, 2014
Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan

2. Snap Shot of Aga Khan Development Network

3. Context: Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Source: UNHabitat, 2010.
Building Codes of Pakistan, 2007
Situated at the junction of
Karakoram, Hamalaya and
Hindukush/14 world highest
mountains
About 73 Sq Km area, Over 1.5 M
people, extremely dependent on
natural resources
80% living in high seismic activity
area (Zone 3 and 4)
Over 90% houses non engineered
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4. Historical Earthquakes in Northern Pakistan
Historic Events
Kashmir Earthquake 2005
(MW 7.6): 87350 killed,
70,000 were injured and
over 3.5 million rendered
(Sources: EFFIT 2005, and
Bilham, R. 2005)
Astore (MW 5.5) 2002:
Killed 23
Darel 1981 (MW 5.8):
killed 222
Over 90% houses are non engineerd
1974 Pattan (Mw 6.2):
killed 5300
Khaplu – Ghache 2007
(Source: Hughes, R., 2003)
6th PAC

5. The Kashmir Earthquake
7.4 magnitude spread over
27,000 sq. km
80,000 killed and 3 million
homeless
84% of all housing stock
90% education and health
facilities
Water sources / infrastructure
Physical infrastructure
Challenges for reconstruction
efforts
Over 1000 aftershocks
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6. Destructions due to Earthquake in Kashmir
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7. Stone Masonry Failure in Earthquake
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8. BACIP-Program Stages
Stage 1 – Action Research
Problem
identification
Development of
Solutions
Demonstration
Projects
Stage 2 – Capacity Building
Entrepreneurship
Training of Artisans
Stage 3 – Adoption/Replication and institutionalisation
Building guidelines
& PEC endorsement
PEC: Pakistan Engineering Council
Academic
institutions
Financing
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9. Housing Improvement Solutions
60 solutions developed focused
around 5 housing issues
Thermal efficiency
Illumination
Indoor air Pollution
Cooking and heating
Seismic Resilient buildings
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10. Excessive use of timber in traditional Construction
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11. BACIP GIWire Technology for new construction

12. Retrofitting Solutions for existing buildings

13. Knowledge Management - Training Manuals
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14. Post construction study of 20 houses
Revisited 20 houses and assessed the performance of interventions
based on the following Impact indicators.
o Users’ Satisfaction
o Beneficiary Targeting
o Replication and Scale up
o Technical Performance
o Livelihood

15. User Satisfaction
100% respondents expressed
increase in level of satisfaction
Increased safety, comfort and
decreased level of maintenance
Reduced chances of subsequent
damages
“Retrofitting has made house stronger and resistant against various risks and it also helped
us save our money that was being spent on repairing cracks and other damages of our
houses(Mirza Murad, Tushkin, Ishkoman).

16. User Satisfaction
“...if any seismic disaster occurs now, I have
enough time to move outside of the house even
with this disability...” (Mr. Shahbaz)
Beneficiary
Expressions
“These houses are safe from hazards. These are
thermally efficient and earthquake resistant....”
(Mr. Fida Muhammad,)
Retrofitted houses have proved that the BACIP
developed and applied technology is very useful
to withstand hazard and has contributed to
minimise repairing and have saved money
significantly” (one of the female participants
of FGD said).
“.....it gave us mental satisfaction as we feel that
our lives are safe if any earthquake strikes out
region...” (Janat Khan, Puniyal).
“Retrofitting has been done in our house with
the application of different earthquake resistant
construction techniques….. Other energy
efficient and housing improvement products
have been also installed. ….these techniques
have enhanced the resilience of our house and
also it’s energy efficiency therefore it is now
more comfortable, safe, durable and secure…
…” Bibi Zar.
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17. Beneficiary Targeting
20 house/180 people
100% original owners
100 % Occupancy
Additional Spaces created
after reconstruction
Maintenance cost lowered

18. Replication
253 buildings
constructed/About 700
applications
Replication in private homes
slow
Affordability is major issue
Adoption high amongst
public/community buildings
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19. Technical Performance
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Technical designs vetted and endorsed
by relevant national
institutions/authorities/Universities
The region witnessed a number of
seismic jolts of various magnitude during
last few years.
No cracks witnessed on the walls or
other damages as the results of these
jolts (respondents).
During the Attabad disaster a whole
neighbourhood of Gulmit Goz collapsed
except the one house of Mr. Raoof which
was built using BACIP wire technology
In terms of thermal efficiency up to 60%
fuel wood was saved
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20. Livelihoods
Savings on maintenance
Households asset building
Increased level of safety
Savings on medical expenses
as result of reduction in ARI
and cold related diseases
Savings on fire wood
consumption

21. Lessons learned and way forward
•Loan financing for
housing improvements
•BACIP did not
change the
traditional home
design. It made
technical
improvements
Access to
finance
Technology is
accessible
• Availability of
technical assistance
•Availability of
material/technology
•Availability of trained
artisans
Design Local
Integrated
design has
high impact
•Integrated design
principles were
applied including
seismic resilience,
thermal efficiency,
illumination, indoor
air pollution control.
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22. Awards and Accolades

23. Thanks