Innovative construction technology for affordable mass housing in Tanzania, East Africa

Abstract

Building affordable housing with adequate structural safety is very important in the developing world. New technology, specifically the Terra Block Fabricator, has the advantage of using local soil and labour to create high quality building blocks. An interesting country in which to examine the potential of this technology is Tanzania because it has had a fascinating history of evolving democratically from socialism to a market economy.

Using environmentally appropriate technology can energize local sustainable economic growth by stimulating market demand for improved housing and raising the standard of living in low‐income countries.

Keywords:

• housing
• Africa
• construction

Notes

*All figures are based on “installed” per square foot.

Source: National Construction Council (Tanzania), AECT (San Antonio, TX).

Field verified by authors.

Advanced Earth & Construction Technology, Inc. (AECT), San Antonio, TX.

Source: Global Pressed Block LLC (New York).

Note: Modern floor material include cement, tiles etc and exclude earth floor; modern walls include baked/burnt bricks and concrete/cement/stone; modern roof materials include metals sheets, tiles, concrete.

Statistical information sources: AECT (San Antonio, TX), Drishti Planners LTD (Tanzania), National Construction Council (Tanzania).