2023 Nepal USR
From July 21 to August 5, 2023, the NTUST USR team traveled to the town of Pisang in Nepal to plan the restoration of a century-old traditional slate house, transforming it into a storytelling house. By incorporating Pisang’s local disaster prevention mechanisms, cultural heritage, natural landscape, agriculture, and religious features, the project aimed to enhance the resilience and sustainable development of the community. The storytelling house will blend local historical and cultural narratives and include plans to sell agricultural products.
Associate Professor Po-Chien Hsiao explained that NTUST students first consulted with local elders about traditional construction techniques, including material sourcing, building methods, and customs. They also gathered information on the community’s needs for renovating the slate house. The team conducted a detailed investigation of the building, confirming its condition and exact measurements, which will help them create architectural plans and elevation drawings for structural analysis and restoration design upon their return to Taiwan.
Building on their experience in community disaster prevention efforts in Taiwan, the NTUST team aimed to revitalize Pisang’s mountain trail network to establish disaster evacuation routes and a tourism guide, improving local disaster resilience. The team completed a comprehensive survey of the town’s road network, houses, and public facilities, including slope measurements and house dimensions, to create a 3D geographical information model. This will facilitate the design of evacuation routes and signage.
In addition, team members visited a local public elementary school to teach earthquake disaster prevention steps, organizing an activity called "Draw My Hometown" to raise local children’s awareness of disaster prevention. They also participated in a Himalayan mountain cleanup activity to enhance students’ environmental awareness and understanding through hands-on experience.
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