Samoans Turn to Traditional Housing as Sanctuary from Climate Risks

RATIONALE: In Samoa a solution to the problem of increasing climate risks, particularly cyclone damage, is to develop housing based on indigenous knowledge, design, and materials. The housing design that proved most resilient through three recent cyclones was indigenous housing; one notable example named “Pousea” was constructed 80 years ago. This project aims to reinvigorate village-based practices in the crafting and construction of Samoan indigenous housing to create buildings that are safer, accessible, resilient, andsustainable. Along with efforts to increase skills at the village level there will be a public education strategy to increase awareness of growing climate risks and hazards. INNOVATION: Our indigenous knowledge is a critical resource of adaptation innovation that can be applied to village-based housing design and construction to prevent high levels of devastation caused by climatic disasters. Taking a village-based approach to the dual problems of climate risks and housing will lead to solutions that make sense within village-based systems.