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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.”
■
ought us here
us there
7