Technology
world . Nearly a quarter of the South African population live in informal settlements . People build structures on open spaces that are located close to economic opportunities .
A growing number of informal settlements are springing up in risky areas that are vulnerable to flooding , landslides , and other natural disasters . Moreover , such settlements lack access to basic amenities such as storm water drainage , well-constructed roads , waste removal services and other basic municipal services .
This situation is replicated across the African continent . In a recent study the non-profit organisation , Habitat for Humanity , concluded that floods and droughts , taken together , account for 80 % of deaths and 70 % of economic losses linked to disasters in sub-Saharan Africa . Recovery from such disasters is costly and takes long to achieve . The provision of temporary shelter , housing repairs and the replacement of household goods represent at least 50 % of total post-disaster recovery costs .
As we brace ourselves for the next wave of extreme weather it makes sense that we start planning for worst-case scenarios . Across the globe , home builders and public sector regulators are looking at enterprising solutions to improve the ability of homes to withstand future natural disasters .
This will require a “ whole-of-society ” approach . The different spheres of government will have to improve their planning processes to guide future housing development and to bring communities closer to economic opportunities in a more structured manner . Communities should be better informed about the dangers inherent to building structures on steep slopes or within low-laying flood plains .
Following his visit to the flood ravaged areas , President Cyril Ramaphosa made it quite clear that there will be a renewed focus on the performance of local government in the delivery of service such as sanitation , waste removal and road construction – all factors which aggravated the impact of the floods .
But this is also an opportunity for the construction and engineering sectors to come up with technological solutions which can contribute towards more resilient structures . The reality is that materials used in the building of houses in low-income settlements are mostly substandard and not able to withstand recurring floods . Access to good quality building materials depends on income levels , and low-income communities living in flood-prone areas mostly use substandard building materials to construct their dwellings .
Recent advances in construction technologies and building materials offer affordable solutions to such communities . Across the globe the industry is increasingly looking for measures which utilise low-cost technologies and require low technical skills . The emphasis is on the utilisation of existing skills and resources within communities to produce resilient building materials .
The South African construction and engineering sectors should be leading research in these fields and offering their technical know-how and skills in finding solutions . This knowledge is also found within emerging enterprises where contractors have acquired vital experience through their participation in local construction activities .
The cidb – as a body which promotes the interest of the emerging construction sector – can play a vital role as a clearing house for research and knowledge and by ensuring small and medium enterprises play a critical role in the reconstruction of disasteraffected areas .
* Bongani Dladla is the acting CEO of the Construction Industry Development Board . RACA
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RACA Journal I July 2022 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za