Challenges in Implementing Innovative Building Technologies: Housing Case Studies in South Africa (original) (raw)
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Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the perception of the local experts and end users on the drivers, barriers and strategies to the use of alternative building technologies (ABTs), with a focus on sandbag building technologies (SBTs) in the provision of sustainable housing in South Africa towards improving the public's understanding of SBTs. Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a qualitative approach that used focus group meetings as the primary data collection method for this study. This study's focus group participants comprised ABT experts and end users of ABT houses in South Africa who were selected using a convenient sampling technique. The data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo 11 software. Findings This study found that the perceived drivers to using ABTs such as SBT comprise sustainability, affordability, job creation potentials, fire-resistant and earthquake resistance. This study revealed strategies for the SBTs, including a...
Use and performance of conventional and sustainable building technologies in low-income housing
Sustainable cities and society, 2020
Few studies have investigated the use and performance of conventional and sustainable building technologies of use in low-income housing construction. Hence, this study investigates the use and performance of the conventional and sustainable building technologies used in low-income housing construction towards proposing the most sustainable technological solution for low-income housing development in South Africa. Using a case study research approach, the study developed a rating tool for use in assessing the sustainability performance of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) low-income houses within the nine provinces of South Africa with measures drawn from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) technical manual. Findings of this study show that the most commonly used method of construction for low-income housing in South Africa are concrete floor slab, brick and mortar for the external envelope and a combination of timber structures fitted with Inverted Box Rib (IBR) sheeting for the roof system. The results also show that conventional building components had a much lower sustainability level due to the high use of concrete and that innovative building components have a lower environmental impact due to the low carbon dioxide emission associated with the manufacturing process. The study concludes with regards to the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability that buildings constructed using sustainable technologies are more sustainable than those produced using conventional methods. The study recommends that public sector clients involved in the provision of low-income housing should encourage the use of sustainable construction technologies. Further, the research also suggests that the GBCSA should develop measures which specifically targets low-income housing development to allow for the determination of both the socio-economic viability and environmental impact of the RDP houses produced in South Africa.
Efficacy of innovative technologies in subsidised housing in South Africa: A case study
CSIR 3rd Biennial Conference 2010. Science Real and Relevant, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pertoria 30 August – 01 September 2010, South Africa The Millennium Development Goals are the world’s targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions – income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion – while promoting gender equality, education and environmental sustainability. Regrettably the number of people living in slums and slum-like conditions in the world’s cities is growing, and in many instances, the quality of existing shelters is “deteriorating” (UNDP 2005:2). Progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been slow in sub-Saharan Africa: one of the reasons for this is the “very slow diffusion of technology from abroad” (UNDP 2005:148). An essential priority for African economic development therefore is to mobilise science and technology targeted at Africa’s specific ecological challenges, i.e., food, disease, nutritio...
Green building research in South Africa: A scoping review and future roadmaps
Energy and Built Environment
The construction industry is recognised to pose serious environmental threats due to its anthropogenic activities. To confront this challenge, green building has been famed as an auspicious strategy to alleviate energy-related carbon emissions alongside climate change mitigation. Consequently, it has birthed diverse empirical studies and holistic reviews by the research community. However, these previous studies have been carried out from a global and continental viewpoint regardless of the green building development specifically in emerging economies. This present study seeks to fill the sparse research upshots on the synthesis of green building research at the country level with core focus on South Africa. In this light, the current study provides a scoping overview of the intellectual exploration on green building research in the South African context. The study’s findings highlight the varying growth regarding the subject matter, the drivers, drawbacks, and socio-economic issues confronting in developing green building projects in the country. To optimize the advancement of green building in the region, this study recommends the implementation of financing schemes, utilization of advanced digital technologies, and promotion of green and sustainable building curricula across the institutions as well as post-occupancy-related studies within the green building spectrum towards a safe and salutogenic built-environment in the country
An artefact for improving the delivery of building energy retrofit project in South Africa
Built environment project and asset management, 2020
Purpose-The built environment is well known for carbon emission and its impact especially as it pertains to existing buildings. This has culminated in an increasing need for a retrofit of such buildings. This study details the development of an artefact for improving the delivery of energy retrofit projects therein to curb these impacts. Design/methodology/approach-The study utilized a mixed method research design for data collection. In achieving this, data was collected in three different phases; (1) a pilot study; (2) a juxtaposition of desktop case studies, live case studies, focus group discussion forum and an expert survey; and (3) a questionnaire survey for the validation of the emergent artefact. Accordingly, the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative content analysis was deployed for qualitative data. Findings-The findings enabled an identification of the elements of a building energy retrofit project (BERP) such as project initiation, building assessment, detailed energy survey, technical analysis and implementation plans of energy measures, monitoring and verification. Also, it provided the challenges and enablers associated with successful BERP. This information was subsequently utilized in the development and validation of an artefact for delivering successful BERP. Summarily, a set of guidelines comprising of seven stages for managing successful BERPs were elucidated. Practical implications-The validated artefact provides an adaptive and innovative route for achieving sustainability in retrofit trade. Originality/value-The study conceptualizes an artefact for improving the delivery of BERPs.
Open standard building in South Africa: new concepts, strategies and technologies
2008
Purpose of this paper-The notion of "open building" arose out of a counter movement within the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM) to the promotion of modern mass housing theories in post-First World War Europe. The opponents argued that the "closedness" of the structures prohibited adaptation over time. This paper constructs a framework for developing, validating, and applying Open Standard Building in South Africa. Methodology/Scope-The paper relies on a literature research covering the CIAM's mass housing building theory, the development of the counter theory, the emergence of the Open Standard Movement in computer software, and the theoretical application in contemporary construction methodologies and processes. Findings-The paper finds that Open Standard Building concepts, strategies and technologies can deliver buildings that are more responsive to occupants' desires and their changing needs over time. Research limitations-The research is limited to establishing the theoretical concepts of "open building" and testing for validity in South Africa. The paper will not review or assess the CIAM other than its relevance to the emergence of the open building approach. No quantitative analysis is done. Practical implications-Open Standard Building facilitates the implementation of innovative building technologies and processes that will result in substantial improvements to the quality of life of many South Africans, particularly within the mass housing market, through reductions in resource waste, improved Life Cycle Costing, lower costs associated with facility changes over time, improved indoor and outdoor environmental quality, and enhanced facility performance. Value-The value of the paper is to be found in developing a construction theory that's prime purpose is to deliver enhanced facility performance and self expression, particularly in the field of mass housing, by facilitating inter-operability and changeability through technological and process innovation.
Two legacies of South Africa’s past which pose significant challenges to sustainable development are; entrenched economic inequality bequeathed by the apartheid system; and the energy intensive nature of the economy based on cheap coal and natural resources for an industrial competitiveness strategy built on cheap energy. This has made South Africans to take energy for granted and neglect the most cost effective and plentiful form of new energy in the world; Energy Efficiency. Lack of a definitive legal requirement in The National building regulations has been another barrier to EE implementation in buildings up until now. However, Increasing electricity tariffs, the need to reduce GHG emissions, energy security & reliability issues and good public health concerns are the new drivers of the EE agenda in South Africa. The South African energy efficiency strategy calls for a mandatory regulatory regime, integrated into the National Building Regulations so that local authorities can implement it through their building control regulations. The National Energy Bill became law in October 2008. The proposed SANS 10400XA and SANS 204: Edition 1 Parts 1 – 4 will become mandatory for buildings in the next 12 months once they get promulgated. Local authorities have been readying themselves to implement the proposed new regulations by trying to align their current building control regulations application processes to the proposed law. This paper investigates practices and processes the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in the Greater Johannesburg has initiated to meet the above objective. Significantly, it investigates the process of re-writing building control regulations to achieve energy efficiency in building developments under municipal jurisdictions. The paper is based on documentary review and structured field interviews carried out between late 2010 and early 2011. The respondents in the field interviews were Building Controls and Approvals Officials (BCAOs) in Ekurhuleni Metro, Key Professional Practitioners (KPPs) in Johannesburg and representatives of Sustainable Construction Interest Groups (SCIGs). It highlights innovative practices and outlines possible recommendations on the applicability of energy efficiency building standards/codes through the building control process in South Africa’s local authorities. Key words: Energy Efficiency, Building Regulations, Local Authorities, Buildings, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
More than one-third of energy is consumed in buildings worldwide, accounting for about 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In cities, buildings can account for up to 80 percent of CO2 emissions. The built environment is therefore a critical part of the climate change problem – and solution. Most existing buildings were not designed for energy efficiency, but by retrofitting with up-to-date products, technologies and systems, a typical building can realize significant energy savings. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is a priority for reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. In South Africa, the developmental Local Government paradigm makes local authorities the focal points of implementing the various regulations, standards and codes for energy efficiency in buildings set by the national and provincial governments. This borrows heavily from the often repeated phrase, “Think globally, and act locally”. Local authorities provide a necessary and practical supplement to national government efforts and deliver a substantial impact by just changing their regulations. Besides, they are mandated by statute, and have put in place mechanisms whereby all new buildings and retrofits/refurbishments/renewals to buildings under their jurisdictions have to go through their building control and approval departments before they are implemented. This paper investigates the current building control and approvals regulations in local authorities in relation to energy efficiency policies for buildings in general, and for retrofits/refurbishments/renewals in particular. The paper highlights the building regulations & control mechanisms, with regard to energy efficiency for retrofits/refurbishments, in the key Metropolis of South Africa. The National policy proposal for energy efficiency in buildings, with emphasis on retrofits/refurbishment was reviewed too. It compared this with promising and innovative regulations and controls which deliver higher energy efficiency in retrofits/refurbishments in buildings in other countries to make deductive conclusions. It has been found that City governments, commercial buildings/property portfolio owners, schools, universities, and public housing authorities can identify, design, and implement energy efficiency retrofits in all renewal building projects. Different mechanisms for increasing building efficiency include retro-commissioning, building technology replacement, and energy performance contracting. These mechanisms can be perfected by the building regulations control departments of the various local authorities to be best practices and can be widely shared and easily adopted among them. In conclusion, Building on the experience gained through initial retrofit projects along with awareness & education and developing sustainable financial instruments, Local Authorities can partner other organizations like the Green Building Council of South Africa in developing standardized procedures in the building regulations & control process, to accelerate the implementation of energy efficient retrofits nationwide. Key words: Energy Efficiency, Retrofits/Refurbishment/Renewals, Local Authorities, Buildings, Building Regulations & control, Approvals, Policy.
Construction 4.0: Towards Delivering of Sustainable Houses in South Africa
Housing is a major challenge for most African countries including South Africa which is characterized by numerous backlog of housing provision. This study seeks the adoption of construction 4.0 principles for reducing the housing backlog experienced within the country. Therefore, the study examines the impact of applying construction 4.0 for delivering sustainable and quality accommodation and evaluates the hindrance in its adoption. Construction 4.0 involves the application of industry 4.0 concepts a synonym for the 4 th industrial revolution that originated from the German manufacturing sector to the South Africa housing industry with the intention of creating a digital industry using a sophisticated gadget like drones, RFID, laser scanning, 3D printing and many others. Convenience sampling method was used in obtaining data from practicing construction professional in Johannesburg Gauteng province South African. A total of 184 questionnaires were obtained from the construction professionals out of 220 that was distributed. The data were analyzed with SPSS V 24, using, mean score, regression and factor analysis. The study discovered that there is a positive impact on the use of construction 4.0 principle for housing delivery as it reduced cost and time overrun thereby ensuring the prompt delivery of affordable and quality houses. The foremost hindrance to the adoption of construction 4.0 principle is the cost of investing in modern technology by small construction firms. The study contributes to the innovative ideas for housing delivery in South African it recommends that strategies and infrastructures should be put in place towards enabling the digitization of the construction industry and increase the awareness of construction 4.0 among construction professionals.