The Filipinos believe that man and woman first emerged from the nodes of a bamboo stalk. The Chinese view the caneas a symbol of their culture and values, reciting “there is no place to live without bamboo”. The plant is a symbol of prosperity in Japan and friendship in India. Along with myths and stories, strong structures made of bamboo flourished in pre-modernAsia. Built forms varied across the changing landscapes of Eastern countries, all sharing one aspect in common - a respect for natural ecosystems.
In 21st-century Asia, bamboo structures are prevalent, although uncommon when compared to synthetic edifices. The plant is native to a wide range of biotopes - from the hot tropical regions of Indonesia to the cold mountains of Tibet. Across Asia, bamboo had offered itself as a viable construction material owing to its strength, flexibility, and easy availability. Now, it struggles to compete with man-made materials like cement and steel to meet immediate issues of urbanization.
Bamboo falls behind on the list of futuristic materials due to a lack of awareness, cultural notions, material limitations, and economic factors. Unlike fabricated materials, the naturally-grown plant comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it difficult to generalize norms and standards around construction methods. Restrictive building codes and an inability to grade the material also hinder the adoption of bamboo. Construction techniques require skill, especially when used in conjunction with steel, concrete, or glass.
With international architectural discourse underlining concepts of sustainability and local materials, bamboo is proving its worth. Its strongest assets are carbon sequestration and phytoremediation - processes that capture air pollution and clean contaminated soil. Early Asian bamboo settlements were always built in harmony with local ecosystems, resulting in a balanced built environment. Contemporary bamboo structures are often initiated for more aesthetically-inclined motives, with eco-friendliness as an added advantage.
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