Alternative Building Technologies as a Delivery Mechanism for Affordable Housing

Abstract

In terms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, each one has a fundamental right to decent housing. This is to ensure adequate access to a safe, secure, habitable, and affordable housing (AH) irrespective of income or access to economic resources. Several studies estimate housing shortage in Namibia to over 100,000 units and one of the main reasons poor delivery of AH. The housing shortage in Namibia is arguably perpetuated due to using conventional methods of construction. Using economic, lean construction, public interest theories, and project management; Alternative Building Technologies (ABT) promises a delivery mechanism for AH in Namibia. Hence, adopting a mixed methods research strategy, using data collected through interviews and questionnaires, and analysis done qualitatively using Vivo coding and quantitatively using descriptive statistical methods, the issue is explored. Findings reflect that the delivery of AH can be improved using ABT as it reduces the construction time, cost, waste besides environmental conservation.