Housing in Southern Africa October-November 2016

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is no doubt as to the improvements that innovation is able to bring to enhance our quality of life. The target set by government to dramatically increase the number of houses constructed using IBTs has experienced some challenges along the way. However, critical success factors have been identified and they will include amongst others: Buy-in from current and would-be homeowners. One of the solutions that have been preferred for this in- cludes building community and pub- lic buildings which would display the reliability of these building systems over a period of time. Acceptance of IBT houses — however it is achieved — is key to achieving government’s target. Training and skilling of the housing sector: fromconstruction companies to housing inspectors. There are al- ready efforts being made to ensure that these houses are constructed to the required standard. Skilling across the entire value chain of housing delivery will seal any gaps and elimi- nate the possibility of poor quality construction.

Wide consultation with all players in the construction of the IBT houses and buildings - from city planners and municipalities to architects and designers, constructors, as well as quality assurers. This will ensure co- hesion and knowledge sharing. Ensuring that the IBT construction process creates jobs and other eco- nomic opportunities is key to its suc- cessful adoption. The process should also allow for the transfer of skills that will improve the future prospects of the individuals, enterprise and

Scommunities working on the proj- ect. Large-scale adoption of innova- tive building technologies – themore these systems are used, the more we will see economies of scale come into play resulting in reduced costs. As their popularity and acceptance grows so also will the demand. Concise and to the point Chikane says, “A house denotes comfort, se- curity, warmth, safety and security. A house also brings a sense of pride and ownership fulfils physical, social and psychological needs.” ■

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