GOING TO SCALE WITH ALTERNATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

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GOING TO SCALE WITH ALTERNATIVE BUILDING
TECHNOLOGIES
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OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENTATION

• Purpose
• Methodology
• Summary of findings
• Recommendations

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PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

• To share the findings of a research aimed at
  assessing the current realities in the
  utilisation of alternative building technologies

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CONTEXT

• In the past three years alternative building
  technologies has been considered by the National
  Department of Housing as a means to complement
  conventional housing construction
• The underlying suppositions are that the
  alternative building technologies have a
  potential to lower building costs, accelerate
  housing delivery, ensure that there is less
  reliance on cement and create jobs

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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

• To assess the feasibility of reserving a certain
  percentage of provincial budget allocation
  specifically for alternative building technology
• Investigate the reasons alternative technologies
  have not been applied at a large scale

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• How have provincial housing departments
  implemented alternative technologies on the
  government assisted housing programmes ?
• What are the success stories, if any, with
  regards to the use of alternative technology i.e.
  what lessons can be learnt from these?
• What are the challenges that are currently
  preventing the provincial housing authorities
  from going to scale with the use of alternative
  technology?

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METHODOLOGY

• Qualitative research approach
• Semi-structured interviews with key provincial
  housing officials and alternative building
  materials providers
• Site visits
• Review of literature

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• Acceptance of alternative technologies by
  provinces
• Province seem to be open and welcoming to
  innovators of Alternative Building Technologues,
  but the fact that they have to stay within the
  subsidy quantum precludes them from procuring AT
  because of the higher costs of some of the AT
• Knowledge and understanding of beneficiaries
• A perception among consumers that houses built
  with alternative building materials cannot be
  extended.
• Acceptance of technology by the community. Most
  community members believe that houses built with
  alternative building materials are not of the
  same quality as the conventional brick-and mortar

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• Certification
• Absence of clarity regarding certification of the
  alternative building system e.g. Non compliance
  with Agrèment certificate
• Innovators reported that they have difficulty
  meeting the high standards of quality assurance
  processes required by the NHBRC
• Cost of alternative technology
• High cost of technology as opposed to
  conventional e.g. between R1004 R3600/m²
  excluding land and foundation
• Often more expensive than the conventional
  technology. Initial building cost, but also high
  levels of maintenance
• Cost of AT often exceeds the subsidy quantum

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• Defects
• Structural problems experienced at times e.g.
  cracks and water penetration
• Dust experienced in some technologies
  beneficiaries reported suffering from respiratory
  problems
• Capacity to deliver
• Unavailability of technology for large scale
  delivery
• Majority of companies remain at a prototype phase

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• Policy perspective
• The absence of a mandatory policy framework
  around the use of AT, means that provincial
  housing authorities experience no pressure
• Practice
• There is generally very limited use of AT except
  in the case of Gauteng Province and Northern Cape
• Wide disparities in provincial housing officials
  understanding and knowledge of the diversity of
  AT, and the cost implications that each holds.
• PHD have generally not made special budgetary
  plans for AT

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• Showcasing innovation
• Eric Molobi Innovation Hub has been instrumental
  in the utilisation of technology by the provinces
  as a result some are considering establishing
  Provincial Innovation Hubs
• Fast tracking delivery
• The use of AT could be beneficial in fast
  tracking delivery because of faster construction
  methods e.g. two - three days

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Research brought to light the importance of
  adopting a multi-pronged strategy for up-scaling
  alternative building technology
• A policy statement
• Adopt intensive awareness / educational campaigns
• debunk some of the myths around AT
• help consumers and officials to make informed
  decisions about the appropriateness of different
  AT in their specific contexts
• Address Quality processes
• Clarify Certification requirements

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Engage openly with AT service providers to
• Address the ability of the industry to deliver
• Negotiate cost of material

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THANK YOU!zoleka_at_housing.gov.zawww.housing.gov.
za