EDITOR’ S COLUMN
Securing the future
Transformation is a word that affects every industry in some way or other. For the affordable housing sector transformation is applied through changing peoples’ lives by creating opportunities for them to have access to an affordable lifestyle, not just a place to call home.
Some topical issues addressed in this transformation process include the spatial planning debacle of securing land that can be developed that is in, or near to, the city where opportunities can be sought out. Innovations also play an important role in cost cutting and the drive to build with sustainable materials. In the innovation space there is a lot of activity not only with new product development but upgrading or combining old methods with available new technology, to open the scope of choice for developments and retrofit projects such as building conversions.
There are also new building techniques that make solving the housing backlog more efficient like prefabricated bathroom solutions and light steel frame construction, various plastics and of course timber, which can be incorporated in construction or as a holistic solution with complete units that fit into the affordable bracket. The next challenge of transformation is of course meeting the demand, and the questions of government versus private versus PPPs as solutions to meet the task of about two million houses required for the current backlog; not to mention the many processes to be followed that also take up time and resources.
There are many solutions and resources that can assist in securing the future for all of those who fit into the gap market and by working together, streamlining processes and utilising new technology and techniques this industry can really be fast tracked.
In this issue we continue looking at bad buildings on page 28 and we consider alternative building materials on page 16. For our projects this month we feature The Gayles in Evander, Mpumalanga on page 32. Roy Mnisi, executive director of The Master Builders Association is this month’ s personality profile. The option of innovation for housing finance in our thought leadership article is featured on page 36.
As always, your feedback and comments are important to us – send us your compliments, complaints or suggestions to: Benjamin @ interactmedia. co. za.
Enjoy another super edition of SA Affordable Housing and don’ t forget to log onto our website for daily industry updates, news and features at: www. buildingafrica. co. za.
Benjamin Brits Managing editor
THE DURABLE, AFFORDABLE KITCHEN
UNIT PREFERRED BY CONTRACTORS
ATTRACTIVE, HIGH-QUALITY GAP COMPACT KITCHENS ARE:
• Affordable and long-lasting
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GAP Compact Kitchens offer high quality at low prices for all large-scale projects.
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Buyers can choose from a variety of standard options, and bulk buyers can customize units to suit their own requirements.
CONTACT US B-BBEE LEVEL 2 COMPLIANT.
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Floyd Nabbie Cell: 072 377 9595 floyd @ gapkitchens. co. za
www. gapkitchens. co. za