INBAR-UBFDB
International Training Workshop on
'Bamboo as a Modern Construction Material'

Announcement

The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and the Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB) are jointly organizing an International Training Workshop on 'Bamboo as a Modern Construction Material' in India during 5 October-14 October 2009 (10 days). The event will be held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand State, India. 

Bamboo has contributed to construction of houses and various other structures the world over since times immemorial. It has strength, flexibility and versatility and therefore it is suitable material for every component of the house when treated and used properly. Bamboo is used preferentially to other materials for housing because of its intrinsic properties that have been traditionally utilized. A firm scientific and engineering foundation has been given to this traditional understanding, resulting in the qualification of bamboo as a sound structural and engineering material. Bamboo houses dot the rural landscape in many developing countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa and is intimately associated with the livelihoods and traditions of several millions of people. The properties of bamboo combined with its availability and ease of use make it an ideal candidate for housing the rural and urban poor. Modern finished houses that are bamboo-based look like or even more elegant than any other conventional houses made from brick and cement mortar. It is estimated that more than one billion people in the world live in bamboo house. Bamboo plays a significant role in creation of employment and income generation activities in an ecologically sustainable manner. Bamboo-based housing is a technically sound option for permanent housing. The usage of such housing not only meets safety-related needs essential in seismically active zones but also offers highly viable solutions for both rural and urban areas using renewable resources. Further, by deploying local resources in terms of labour and material, bamboo-based housing can help develop the local economy, provide employment, and further environmental protection. The traditional skill capital of the local community also gets utilized, resulting in the generation of employment and creation of income-generation opportunities in rural areas. As an excellent building material it is relatively cheap, easy to work with and readily available in most of the countries where bamboo grows and its role in house construction has been substantial.

INBAR, as an intergovernmental international agency with a focused mandate on bamboo and rattan, has accomplished considerable work in countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Training and capacity building are two of the tools that INBAR has been using to equip the people involved in bamboo and rattan sectors with the knowledge and skill sets needed to address the challenges posed by the 21st Century economy.

UBFDB (Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board) is the state nodal agency for the promotion of Bamboo and Natural Fibers in the state of Uttarakhand, India. UBFDB’s vision is to realize the economic, social and environmental potential of bamboo and fiber by utilizing present and future resources to sustainably contribute to improve ecological and livelihood development needs of the State. UBFDB endeavors to bridge the gaps, demonstrates technology, conducts action research, focuses and works on various aspects of bamboo based development starting from resource generation, capacity building, enterprise development, bamboo housing and infrastructural development. Considering the benefits of bamboo based housing, UBFDB promotes and has demonstrated high-end housing projects for eco-tourism and community shelters in a bigger way successfully promoting bamboo for sustainable livelihood and ecological security. Website: http://www.ubfdb.org

The International Training Workshop on ‘Bamboo as a Modern Construction Material’ aims to impart knowledge and skill sets to people involved in the bamboo sector, in the field of housing and other structural development. The objective of the training programme is to produce experts in building bamboo houses, and who are knowledgeable in the nuances of bamboo-based housing, by providing theoretical and more of practical training.

Broadly, the topics covered in the training will include species selection, foundation, roof, wall, treatment methodologies, harvesting methods, bamboo connections, bamboo stitching with other construction material, design and structural applications including seismic considerations for bamboo houses, etc. In order to make course more meaningful, the training will focus more on Hands-on sessions.

Schedule:
- 4 October 2009 – Arrival of participants
- 5 October-14 October 2009 (10 days) – Training Workshop
- 15/16 October 2009 – Departure of participants
As part of the event, a one-day sightseeing trip to Mussourie (a hill resort) near Dehradun is being planned.
Venue: Dehradun, Uttarakhand State (nearest international airport is Delhi, and connected by air, road and rail from Delhi and other places in India). For details, see the page 'More Information'below

Minimum/maximum no. of participants: 15/30

Fee: US$ 850 per participant (US$ 650 for those from INBAR Member Countries*). This includes course fee, course material, accommodation, food, local transport.

*INBAR's 34 Member Countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, The Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Advance: A down payment of US$ 450 per participant is required along with the application to reserve participation in the workshop.
 
Mode of payment:
(a) Pay by Bank Draft drawn in favor of the ‘International Network for Bamboo and Rattan’ payable at New Delhi, India; OR
(b) Telegraphic Transfer to INBAR’s bank account in India. Please contact Mr. T.P. Subramony for bank information.

Food: Continental and Indian cuisine.
 
Climate: The temperature during October in Dehradun is approx. 26 º C Maximum- 13º C Minimum.