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# Housing Backlog
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Currently there are some 1.2 billion people worldwide experiencing “income poverty,”meaning they live on the equivalent of less than one dollar per day. The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) has estimated that 1.1 billion people are living in inadequate housing conditions in urban areas alone. UNCHS has estimated that some approximately 21 million new housing units are required each year in developing countries to accommodate growth in the number of households during the period between 2000 and 2010 period. Some 14 million additional units would be required each year for the next 20 years if the current housing deficit is to be replaced by 2020.
In Latin America, households need 5.4 times their annual income to buy a house. In Africa, they need an average of 12.5 times their annual income. Less than 20 percent of households in Africa are connected to piped water, and only 40 percent have piped water within 200 meters of their home. In cities of the developing world, one out of every four households lives in poverty. Forty percent of African urban households are living below the locally defined poverty line.
# The Problem With Buildings
Using products made from renewable resources like green construction materials and plantation-grown woods helps mitigate the stress human consumption places on our global ecosystem.
“Green building’ is the next wave, and it’s here to stay.” An excerpt of a speech by Kenneth D. Lewis, CEO and President of Bank of America.
Buildings Use…
40 percent of raw stone, gravel and sand; comparable share of other processed materials such as steel, adding to
landscape destruction, toxic runoff from mines and tailings,
deforestation, air and water pollution from processing
25% of virgin wood is used for construction, adding to
deforestation, flooding, siltation, biological and cultural diversity losses
40% of total energy use, adding to
local air pollution, acid rain, damming of rivers, nuclear waste,
risk of global warming
16 percent of total water withdrawals, adding to Water pollution; competes with agriculture and ecosystems for water
Comparable in industrial countries to municipal solid waste generation, adding to landfill problems, such as leaching of heavy metals and water pollution
Poor air quality in 30 percent of new and renovated buildings, adding to higher incidence of sickness—lost productivity in tens of billions annually
Source: World Watch Institute
With over $175 billion in new commercial construction annually, the environmental burden imposed by the construction and operation of buildings will continue to rise. Therefore, a new model for design that takes into account environmental impact over the life of the building is necessary. Sustainable design evaluates every design decision in order to evaluate potential impact on the environment, occupant health and comfort, and the bottom line.
Fortunately, many of the concepts and technologies that may be employed to reduce environmental impact in construction and operation can be implemented at no extra cost. Life-cycle cost accounting, which looks at long-term cost and return on investment, as well as environmental costs, makes some design options look more attractive once they are evaluated on other than just first cost.
PHOTO GALLERY
ECONOMIC IMPACT
There are many factors which influence the cost of building a house however, in South Africa a saving of at least 30% can easily be achieved by utilizing the
EcoBuild Building System. In addition, the result will be a quality and more ecologically friendly house.
Accepting that time is money, the EcoBuild System has a very rapid construction rate.
When using the EcoBuild patented cladding instead of plaster, the house can be
ready for occupation within days.
CONTACT US
3 Hawkins Ave.
Epping,
Cape Town,
South Africa
Tel. +27 21 531 7043
Fax +27 21 531 7043
e mail info@ecobuildtech.co.za
* Eco-friendly
* Green House (Carbon footprint much less than conventional construction)
* Up to 70% superior thermal properties
* 3 Times greater mass than conventional building
* Aesthetically pleasing
* Superior acoustic qualities
* Versatility of the building process allows for multiple
applications
* All services can be accommodated in the walls
* Minimal building waste or losses on site
* Creates job opportunities
* Low skill levels required in the initial construction phase
* Ease of transport
* Ease of construction
* Low transportation costs
* Ecobeams can be manufactured anywhere
* Between 20 to 30% lower building costs than conventional building
* Patented technology
ecoBUILD Product Range
ecoBEAM – Ecobeam is a trademark for a lattice beam constructed with
parallel chords of sawn timber and inclined web members formed from
a continuous metal strip in zigzag con?
guration.
ecoBAG – The sand bag building method consists of Ecobeam units as
studs between sand ?lled polyester bags dry stacked to form a wall
system. The wall is completed with sand – cement plaster or cladding
boards externally and internally.
ecoFENCE – Ecofence is lightweight but incredibly strong
Ecofence can be painted, epoxy coated or left “natural” as required
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I cannot understand why governments pass laws against their people. Using local materials for small price or available for free is a great solution for anyone.
Governments in poor countries (or nonprofit organizations) should build schools this way and start spreading the knowledge to people that cannot afford the “modern” life. The technology is there, but they don’t have the know-how and the necessary encouragement.
The love for work should also be taught in schools, as poor people who remain poor are usually not doing anything to change their situation.
If you have some ideas to eradicate poverty please visit http://profectus.wordpress.com