City rolls out alternative housing methods
Some 800 units will be built in several areas.
ISIPINGO and Craigieburn in Umkomaas are among eight areas which have been earmarked for low cost housing using alternative technology to fast track delivery.
eThekwini Municipality’s executive committee approved a proposal to roll out alternative housing and servicing technologies in various housing projects on Tuesday, 9 June.
This is the first time such technologies are being used for low cost housing delivery and to date, contractors have been appointed to deliver 800 units.
On 11 November 2013, the Bid Adjudication Committee approved the building of 20 show houses to 20 service providers. The show houses served as a platform to assess the different housing technologies available and to select a suitable alternative technology model to improve housing delivery.
A few show houses were built at sites across the municipality to evaluate compliance with building regulations and cost, functionality, longevity and post-construction maintenance.
The assessment of alternative technology show houses also considered the quality and strength, thermal and environmental conditions and creation of employment opportunities.The demonstration houses met technical, financial and social requirements. Services will include water, sanitation, pathways, retaining walls, roads and storm water drainage.
City manager Sibusiso Sithole said the project will be delivered based on the current approved budgets.
“The advantage of the alternative housing technologies is that a house can be built in about eight days, while conventional methods take up to 14 days to complete. Some of the service providers will set-up manufacturing plants for their products and will provide training and job opportunities, thus contributing to the enhancement of the local economy.”
The first phase will include the housing projects in the following areas: Burlington Greenfields Extension; Cornubia (Phase 1(b); Craigieburn in Umkomaas; Emalangeni Phase 2 in Mpumalanga; Kennedy Road (Dodoma Place); Klaarwater, Klaarwater Station; Sandton Place (Phase 3) and Kanku in Isipingo.
