A Guidefor
Ground bed type(bari-bhiti style)homestead
Md. Rashedur Rahman1, Kazuo Ando2 and Yoshino Keiko3
1Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
2Department of Practice Oriented Area Studies, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
3Department of Food Environment Economics, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
ITNRODUCTION
Chapter 2
PLANNING FOR BUILDING NEW HOMESTEAD
2.1 Site selection
2.2 Size of raised earthen mound2.3 Space arrangement

Chapter 6
BREAKDOWN OF COSTS FOR HOMESTEAD
CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 7
CONCLUSION

Chapter 3
CONSTRUCTION OF HOMESTEAD
3.1 Digging/collection of soil
3.2 Vegetation on raised mound3.3 Making earthen plinth for individual huts
3.4 Construction of houses
3.5 Construction of other basic infrastructures
Chapter 4
MAINTENANCE OF HOMESTEAD
4.1 Regular maintenance
4.2 Periodic maintenance
4.3 Maintenance of vegetation
Chapter 5
CONSTRUCTION OF HOMESTEAD IN BANGLADESH
5.1 A case study from Tangail District of Bangladesh
5.2 Photographic view of homestead construction in Bangladesh

2Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
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Second layer

Huge flood level
Ordinary flood level

First layer

Fig. 1.1 Double layered ground bed type homestead

vertical-Ground bed type (bari-bhiti style) homestead is one that is
made on a raised earthen mound which is created by pilingup the soil that is higher than flood level.
As this type of homestead remain free from inundation
during flooding period, and provides shelter during cyclone,high tide and water logging.
Different types of trees and vegetables can be planted in thistype of homesteads which remain free from saline water.
This rich vegetation will protect the houses from strong wind
and alleviate current/tide power, gives the people acomfortable shade.
The nutritional condition of the household members can be
improved by consuming various fruits and vegetables by
growing them raised earthen mound of ground bed typehomestead.
The huts in the ground bed type homestead are protectedfrom the flood water inundation by double structure. First
layer is the raised earthen mound which protect the ordinary
flood level. Second layer is the earthen plinth of individual
huts that protect from the huge flood level (Fig. 1.1).
In the stilt type homestead the space can vertically be used
only whereas in ground bed type homestead both horizontaluse (for huts) and vertical use (for plantation) is possible.

horizontal
Stilt type homestead

Ground bed type homestead

Vertical use by
growing plants

Fig. 1.2 Space design for vertical and horizontal use
in homestead3

Chapter 2. PLANNING FOR BUILDING NEW HOMESTEAD
2.1 Site selection
Before starting to raise the mound for homestead area planning isnecessary to select site for the homestead. Following points may
be considered during planning stage of homestead constructionThe site for the raised mound should be selected in a
relatively elevated area which will save necessary amount ofsoil required to raise the earthen mound.
It is preferable to be located near a available source of soil.
The soil can be collected either from owners own land, orsomewhere else (other’s land or nearest river bed).
2.2 Size of raised earthen mound i. e. homestead area
The size of homestead area usually depends on thenecessities of houses. For instance, main house, kitchen,cowshed, tube-well, latrine, size of the court yard etc.
The size of the homestead depends also on the available
additional land for digging soil which eventually turns into asmall ditch. In Bangladesh context, usually the size of theland for digging soil is the half (minimum one-third) of thehomestead land size. The ditch is useful for fish culture
which can supplement protein requirement of the household
members.

soil can be brought fromsomewhere (e.g. river bank)

Flood
Water

More soil!

Fig. 2.1 Site selection for raised earthen mound

KitchenCowshed

LatrineMuddy soil from ditch forhomestead maintenance

Ditch

Fig. 2.2 Size of homestead
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Eroded soil from homestead usually deposited into ditch
Direction of flood current/
which is useful for the maintenance of homestead.
high tide
Wind direction
If soil is collected from somewhere else such as nearest (cold wind in winter season
river bed then there is no need of digging soil from own strong wind by cyclone)land.
If there is available land, it is preferable to keep space forcourtyard. In flooding season, there will be water
surrounding the homestead and hence the courtyard acts asworking space.
In Bangladesh, the minimum size of the homestead is about
2 decimal (80 m2 /870 ft2)

2.3 Space arrangement
Vegetation in homestead is necessary to protect the huts
from strong wind and to protect homestead soil erosion byflood water.
Space should be selected for tree plantation and need to be
designed properly considering wind direction, flood water
current direction. Some space should be kept open to keep
inside the homestead sunny.
In Bangladesh, the plantation is usually done on northernside of the homestead to protect the huts from damages
caused by nor-wester/cyclone. The south side remains open
to get enough sunlight into the courtyard.

Sunshine
Fig. 2.3 Space arrangement for ground bed type homestead

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Chapter 3. CONSTRUCTION OF HOMESTEAD
3.1 Digging/collection of soil
Raising mound for homestead is usually done in dry season.
The process starts with collecting soil from another locationand is heaped to make a mound of about 4-6 feet height sothat the flood water cannot reach to homestead ground level.
Soil for raising the land is often obtained by excavating apond on the land, which can later be used for rearing fish
and bathing.
However, if sufficient land is not there, soil has to bebrought in from elsewhere. Few basic steps is followed inthis case-i) Leveling (achieving appropriate level), ii)
Dressing (adding soil to raise level) and iii) Compaction(consolidating loose soil).
In Bangladesh, the manpower requirements for digging andcollecting soil, it usually needs 50 man-days to complete theraised mound for each 40 m2 area.
After making the mound/heap, the soil is being kept fore
few months to be settled down and for making it ready tobuild the huts. Meanwhile this raised earthen mound can beused as vegetable field.

Photo 3.1 Digging of soil for raised moundPhoto 3.2 The raised mound on which huts will bebuilt
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3.2 Vegetation on raised mound
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Trees should be planted in such a way that the courtyard get adequate
sunlight.
Native plants of the floodplains should be given priority as they arepart of the local ecosystem.
Trees which provide fruit as well as timber should be given more
importance. These also act as financial security.
Trees with dense root system (coconut, date palm, etc.) should be usedon the slope of the homestead mound.
Trees that can withstand floodwater for a long time should be plantedin the lower part of the slope.
Grasses with affinity for wetness and other ground-cover herbaceous
plants (also a source of vegetables) should be planted on the slope assoon as the earthen mound is prepared so that heavy rain can not hit thesoil directly.
Planting catkin grass on the edges of the mound is encouraged because
it protects from erosion and is also a source of fuel, fodder and building
material.
Bamboo plantation is highly recommended. It protects the soil from
erosion and is an important building material source.
There should be adequate sunny area for kitchen garden to cultivate
seasonal vegetables. This should be on high ground as most traditional
vegetables can not survive in floodwater.
In Bangladesh, local bananas, bamboos, Lannea coromandelica,
Saccharum spontaneum, Ipomoea fistulosa eetc. are often planted forfastening soil.

Photo 3.3 Planting vegetation on the periphery of raised moundCourtyard should
allow sunlight
Bamboo grove
Trees for fruits
and timbers
Seasonal
vegetables

Catkin grass

Plants with dense anddeep root systems
Plants withaffinity forwetnessFig. 3.1 Vegetation on raised mound for homestead in floodprone area7

3.3 Making earthen plinth for individual huts
- After the land preparation is done and the earthen moundbeing settled down, the plinth for individual house is made.
- The earthen plinth is usually built at around 5 feet away fromthe edge of the earthen mound of the entire homestead area.
- The area of the plinth depends on the size of the house that
depends on the number of household members.
- The height of the plinth is varied usually from 1.5 to 2.5 feet.
- Two types of plinth are found- one is the whole plinth
consisted of sandy clay soil which is then covered withclayey mud. Another one is consisted of a brick perimeterwall around the typical earthen plinth that resists erosion
from the sides.
- After filling the plinth, the soil is rammed with hammer to becompacted.

Photo 3.4 Earthen plinth consisted of clay soil

5 feetPlinth-1.5-2.5 feet height
Earthen mound-6 feet heightFig. 3.4 Height of earthen mound and plinth and distance between edge ofmound and house plinth

Photo 3.5 Brick perimeter wall plinth filled withsoil
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3.4 Construction of houses- The nature and style of the houses varied according to theculture, environment, availability of the raw materials in thelocality, ability of people etc.
- In Bangladesh, three types of houses are found viz. Kutcha
house, Semi-Pucca house and Pucca house.
- In Kutcha house, the foundation is made with earthen plinthwith bamboo (sometimes timber) posts; the walls consistedof organic materials like jute stick, catkin grass, straw,
bamboo mats etc. and the roof is made with thatch (rice or
wheat or maize straw) or sometimes reed stalk framing.
- In Semi-pucca house, the foundation is made with earthen
plinth; brick perimeter wall with earth infill; brick andconcrete. The wall are made with bamboo mats; CI sheet;timber (sometimes split bamboo) Sometimes part or fullbrick. Roof is consisted of CI sheet with timber framing(sometimes split bamboo).
- In Pucca house, the foundation is made with brick andconcrete; walls consist of brick and the roof is made withreinforced concrete (RC).

Photo 3.6 Kutcha house

Photo 3.7 Semi-pucca house

Photo 3.8 Pucca house9

3.5 Construction of other basic infrastructures- Other than the main house there should have built other basic infrastructure especiallytubewell for water supply, latrine for sanitation, and kitchen for cooking.
- The tubewell should be located on raised ground, or itself should be raised by extending
the riser column, to avoid contamination by floodwater and also to continue serving
during flood.
- The most basic and important aspect towards ensuring hygienic sanitation is to
discourage and prevent open defection and use of hanging latrines. These practices
contaminate water sources and is a major cause of spreading diseases during flood.
- Simple pit latrine is the most cost-effective and somewhat hygienic sanitation option.
An improved version with a concreted squatting slab is recommended if available in thelocality.
- The location of the latrine would be near the tubewell for immediate cleaning of thehands.
- Another essential infrastructure is the cooking shed which process the food materials tofeed the household members. It is usually located at the side of the main house in thehomestead.

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Chapter 4. MAINTENANCE OF HOMESTEAD
Homestead is gradually damaged by rain shower and flood
current. If the damages continue and proper maintenance is notdone the homestead will be broken. Therefore, continuous
observation and maintenance is necessary. Homestead can be
maintained by two ways. One is regular maintenance and anotherone is periodic maintenance.
4.1 Regular maintenance
Small cracks and crevices are formed during dry season on
the plinth of house and on court yard.
This cracks weaken the basement/plinth of the houses andneed to be repaired. These cracks and crevices should be
repaired regularly (once in a month except the rainy days)by plastering with a mixture of water, clayey soil/muddy
soil (collected from the adjacent ditches) and raw cowdung.
If raw cowdung is not available then rice bran can be usedinstead.
The mixture consisted of 70% water, 15% clay soil and 15%
cowdung.
It should be remembered that too much clay in the mixture
will result cracking and too little clay will result a powdery
weak plaster.

Photo 4.1: digging of clay/muddy soil to the homestead

Photo 4.2: Plastering of plinth with muddy soil mixture11

4.2 Periodic maintenanceEvery year in rainy season, the homestead surface is washedaway.
After few years when the surface become too sandy (colors
turn into whitish), it should be refreshed by layering withclay soil from the base of the adjacent ditch.
This also help supplying nutrients to the homestead soil for
growing of plants, both trees and vegetables.
The layering should be done in every three to four years
depending on the intensity of soil erosion.

4.3 Maintenance of vegetation- It is advisable to keep seasonal vegetables through out theyear as these provide nutrition to the family members and act
as a source of financial security.
- Besides, the root system of the vegetable plants bind the soilof homestead that reduce the soil erosion.
- New tree seedlings should be planted after cutting the oldone.

Photo 4.4 Layering of homestead surface with new soil

Photo 4.5 Seasonal vegetables on the homestead

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Chapter 5. CONSTRUCTION OF HOMESTEAD IN BANGLADESH
5.1 A Case study from Tangail district of Bangladesh
The Dakshin chamuria village in Tangail district of Bangldesh, is a flood prone area. This case study isabout a local villager named Md. Zoyed Ali of 59 years of age. Mr. Ali built his homestead in a raised
mound about 2 (two) years ago. First he raised the earthen mound (locally called viti) with an area of 3500
ft2. The length of the viti was 70 ft and the width was 50 ft. and the height was 6 ft. After the mound has been
completed Mr. Ali and his sons planted banana plant before moving to this new homestead. During theprocess of building individual houses, they also planted Mango, jackfruit, Mahogany and Eucalyptus tree.

Construction of houses
Raising earthen mound of a desirable area (in thiscase the area was 70ft × 50ft × 6ft)

New homestead with vegetation

Fig. 5.1 Steps of building homestead in Bangladesh (a case study)
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Beginning

5.2 Photographic view of Homestead construction in Bangladesh (Tangail district)

Mounds is settling down meanwhile vegetation isplantedCompletion

Construction of raised mound by digging soil

Huts are under construction
After 10 months, bananas have grown.
Vegetables growing also started.

One month later, along with banana someother plants were planted to fasten soil

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Chapter 6. BREAKDOWN OF COSTS FOR HOMESTEAD CONSTRUCTION
Note: The size of the raised earthen mound is 2 decimal (870 ft2 with 6 ft height). It is the minimum size of constructing homestead.
 The size of the house is 200 ft2 (20 ft × 10 ft). The foundation is an earthen plinth. The structure consisted of RC (Reinforced
Concrete) posts, CI (Corrugated Iron) sheet walls; the roof is made with timber framed CI sheet. Door and windows are framedwith timber.
 Exchange rate at time of homestead construction, approx. 1 USD= 78 BDT
Items

Quantity

Rate

Total cost (tk)- When soil is brought from another location-including labor cost

5250 ft3

1500 tk/200 ft339,000- When soil is collected from own land-labor costs need to be paid

100 man days

300 tk/man days

30,000- Labor cost for carrying mud soil

10 man days

300 tk/ man days

3,000

- Labor cost for compacting plinth

5 man days

300 tk/ man days

1,500

- Concrete pillars/posts

20 pcs

300 tk/pillar

6,000- Timbers

40 ft3500 tk/ft3

20,000- CI (Corrugated Iron) sheet

9 band (1band=72 feet)

5000 tk/band

45,000- Accessories (Nails, screw, GI wire etc.)

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2,000

- Windows (timber framed)

3 windows

1500 tk/window

4,500- Door (timber framed)

1 door4000 tka/door

4,000- Ceiling (bamboo made)

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5,000

- Masson cost for hut construction

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5,000

1. Raised earthen mound2. Foundation-earthen plinth (20 ft × 10 ft)

3. Construction of hut (20 ft × 10 ft)

Total:When soil is bought from another location:When soil is collected from own land

135,000
126,000

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Chapter 7. CONCLUSION-

Homestead construction on raised mound (bari-bhiti style in Bangladesh) plays animportant role of providing flood free space for livelihood of people living in flood
affected area.

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This style of homestead construction also creates a working opportunity for thehousehold members, especially for the women by homestead gardening all the year
round. Even during the flooding period it is possible to cultivate summer vegetableson open ground of the raised mound of homestead.
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Through homestead gardening on the raised mound, there is a possibility to improve

food security and increase nutritional status of the poor and extreme poor in theflood affected area.
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Therefore, ground bed type homestead (bari-bhiti style) could be an alternative
method of homestead construction to stilt type homestead that is usually practiced in

the flood prove area of Myanmar.

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