Construction Technology

Rural Development - The need for Rural Developers One of the biggest and most crucial issue facing the African Continent is that of urbanisation. Daily people leave their rural villages lured by the prospects of a better life in the city. Yet, this does not happen and more and more cities and city dwellers are struggling under the pressures of "City Living". "Work" to provide "Food" and "Shelter" - this is the basis of survival. If there is no "work" "crime" is one of the next options. Urbanization in Africa - Rural to Urban Africa is a rapidly urbanising continent, which according to the UN Habitat, is increasing at a rate of 230,000 people who are moving into cities across Africa each week. Currently, sub-Saharan Africa alone has an estimated housing deficit of 30 million units and every year, the backlog of houses across Africa’s 54 countries collectively increases by 4 million houses. With the population of the African con...

Frugal Innovation In Africa - moladi FRUGAL INNOVATION IN AFRICA  FRUGAL INNOVATION IN AFRICA - moladi Moladi: Affordable houses in South Africa In many African countries, housing is one of the most sensitive issues affecting the lower income groups. In South Africa for example, close to 13% of the 14.3 million households are informal dwellings (Statistics South Africa, 2011). The term “informal dwelling” is often used in South Africa to designate shacks, corrugated-iron structures and other makeshift shelters. The above statistics represents about 1.8 million households (between 7.2 and 10.8 million people). Informal structures are often made of highly combustible materials such as wood and cardboard which pose serious safety and environmental concerns. The structures are easily damaged and exposed to the external elements meaning that people often live in damp, very hot or very cold conditions. The other concern is inadequate or lack of sanitation and running water which constitute...