Expanding use of local construction technologies

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends formulation of programmes to enhance the utilization of local materials by the construction sector, by expanding technical support and incentive schemes for, and increasing the capabilities and economic viability of, small-scale and informal operatives who make use of these materials and traditional construction techniques.

In 1985, the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) established a Network of African Countries on Local Building Materials and Technologies. The objective of the Network is to strengthen local technological capacity through information flow, regional cooperation and facilitating transfer of technology in the low-cost building materials sector in African countries. One of its achievements has been to convince policy- and decision-makers to take effective measures to develop new standards and specifications -- thus improving the production and quality of locally-produced materials such as fibre-concrete roofing, stabilized-soil-block technology, lime and other types of binding materials.