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Tsunami Architecture / The Maldives Chapter Redux (with Christoph Draeger)
HD Video, 26 min, 2013

In 2010/2011 Christoph Draeger and Heidrun Holzfeind visited Southeast Asia to investigate the current state of architecture built or reconstructed in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. "Tsunami Architecture" documents the long-term effects of the disaster through conversations with survivors, eyewitnesses, aid workers and rescue personnel.
“The Maldives Chapter Redux” looks specifically at how the flood of aid money has transformed whole islands, rebuilt and refashioned local economies and shaped communities on three islands in the Maldives.

In terms of preparedness we are quite ready: All of the islands have their own disaster management plan in case of a tsunami or sea level rise and to receive a warning we have an early warning system established. But obviously if it is a 19 or 20 meter high wave, I don't think we stand much of a chance. Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency of disasters and it's going to be something we continue to face. We are trying to relocate people away from islands that would not survive the next 10, 15 years. But you can never be completely protected from a disaster, you can just try and minimize the consequences.
Nadine Waheed, Programme Officer UN Human Settlements Programme for the Republic of Maldives (from 2005-2008)

produced for the Maldives Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale

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