Proceedings of the Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing Symposium

Authors

Rehema Kabare, University of East London; Folake Adeleke, University of Ibadan; Kehinde Alade, University of Cape Town; Salie Mahoi, University of Cape Town; Darmarajan Chinasamy, University of Cape Town; Adeyemi Kehinde Adetoyese, Joseph Ayo Babalola University; Olanusi Jubril Adesanya, Joseph Ayo Babalola University; Fabio Companie, University of Cape Town; Serina Companie, Cranefield College ; James Ogunbiyi, University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Oluwafemi O. Omotayo, The Federal University of Technology; Nureni Adedapo Adewole, University of Ibadan; Yusuf Kehinde Nusirat, University of Ibadan; David Adedire Adeniran, University of Ibadan; Moegamat Tashriq Bhayat, Stellenbosch University; Adewumi John Babafemi, Stellenbosch University; Wibke De Villiers, Stellenbosch University; Harold Adjarko, Durban University of Technology (DUT); Abimbola Olukemi Windapo, University of Cape Town; Francesco Pomponi, Edinburgh Napier University/Cambridge University; Fiona Toliva, Kati House, Kyagwe Rd. Kampala; Prisca Simbanegavi, University of the Witwatersrand; Malcolm Weaich, University of the Witwatersrand; Yewande Adewunmi, University of the Witwatersrand; Pride Ndlovu, University of the Witwatersrand; Faranani Gethe, University of the Witwatersrand; Fidelis Emuze, Central University of Technology, Free State; Iruka C Anugwo, Durban University of Technology (DUT); Ayodeji O Aiyetan, Durban University of Technology (DUT); Emmanuel Elijah Bassey, University of Cross River State; Tolulope Aina-Badejo, Obafemi Awolowo University; Daramola Thompson Olapade, Obafemi Awolowo University; Olusola Johnson, Yaba College of Technology; Benjamin Gbolahan Ekemode, Obafemi Awolowo University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15641.978-1-991247-00-1

Keywords:

Affordable Housing

Synopsis

The Proceedings of the Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing (ISAH) Symposium capture the outcomes of a three‑day, cross‑sector workshop held at the University of Cape Town, South Africa (4–6 June 2024). Bringing together more than 100 stakeholders from 16 universities and one college across South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, and the United Kingdom, the symposium combined hands-on workshops, keynotes, panel discussions, and the presentation of peer-reviewed research to address the challenges in the delivery of affordable, low-carbon, and context-appropriate housing. Thirteen full papers, selected through a rigorous double‑blind review, advance evidence on technologies, policies, and practices for inclusive human settlements.

 

Core themes included: adoption pathways for innovative/Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) such as sandbag and eco‑beam systems, structural insulated panels, geopolymer‑based masonry, mass engineered timber, and Cross‑Laminated Timber (CLT); bridging academia-industry-government for scalable impact; affordability levers (local materials, circularity, design for manufacture and assembly); resilience and service delivery in informal settlements; finance and governance innovations (e.g., Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Public Private partnerships (PPPs)); and digital enablement through Building Information Modelling (BIM) for refurbishment and life‑cycle performance.

 

Key insights and contributions:

  • The practical demonstrations validated the constructability and community acceptance of ABTs, yielding a prototype of an informal house reimagined.
  • Empirical studies reported - viable thermal and mechanical performance of one‑part geopolymer blocks; feasibility and climate considerations for mass timber in tropical settings; reliability assessment methods for existing Reinforced Concrete buildings; flexural performance of CLT from Mangifera indica; and BIM’s role in cost, carbon, and coordination gains for housing refurbishment.
  • Policy and planning analyses highlighted incremental housing, prefabrication methods, and governance/regulatory reforms to unlock adoption, alongside targeted financing (REITs, green finance instruments) and supply‑chain localisation.
  • A communiqué outlined actionable recommendations for government, regulators, manufacturers, communities, and NGOs, emphasising performance‑based regulation, capacity building, gender inclusion, and participatory planning.

 

Supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering and its partners and published under an open-access license (CC BY 4.0), these proceedings provide a practice-ready, context-sensitive evidence base to reduce housing backlogs while advancing social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the Global South.

Chapters

  • Full Monograph
    Fidelis Emuze, Abimbola Olukemi Windapo, Francesco Pomponi
    PDF
  • Preliminary Pages
    PDF
  • 1. Exploring the Contribution of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sub-Saharan Africa
    Fiona Toliva
    PDF
  • 2. The ‘Massive, Little’ Houses: ‘Prefabs’, A Solution for Informal Settlement Housing Crisis in South Africa! A Scoping Review
    Prisca Simbanegavi, Malcolm Weaich, Yewande Adewunmi, Pride Ndlovu, Faranani Gethe
    PDF
  • 3. Key Environmental Construction Technologies and Innovations Revolutionising the Construction Industry: A Systematic Review
    Harold Adjarko, Iruka C Anugwo, Ayodeji O Aiyetan
    PDF
  • 4. Factors Affecting Adoption of Incremental Housing Development Strategy for Home Ownership: The Case of Staff Members of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
    Emmanuel Elijah Bassey, Tolulope Aina-Badejo, Daramola Thompson Olapade, Olusola Johnson
    PDF
  • 5. Turning The Tide: Achieving Sustainability Through Building Information Modelling Utilisation For Housing Refurbishment
    Benjamin Gbolahan Ekemode
    PDF
  • 6. “Beyond the Mirage”: A Review of Nigerian Sustainable Methods, Materials and Policy Propositions for Low-Cost and Affordable Housing
    James Ogunbiyi, Folake Adeleke
    PDF
  • 7. Limitations, Challenges, and Solutions to Housing Construction in Informal Settlements
    Fidelis Emuze, Abimbola Olukemi Windapo, Francesco Pomponi, Kehinde Alade, Salie Mahoi, Darmarajan Chinasamy
    PDF
  • 8. Sustainable Building Development in Nigeria: A Climate Change Response Review
    Adeyemi Kehinde Adetoyese, Olanusi Jubril Adesanya
    PDF
  • 9. Sustainability Challenges of Providing Essential Services to Informal Settlements in South Africa
    Abimbola Olukemi Windapo, Fabio Companie, Serina Companie
    PDF
  • 10. Exploring the Feasibility of Mass Timber Use in East Africa: The Effect of Nairobi’s Climate on Mass Engineered Timber Structures
    Rehema Kabare
    PDF
  • 11. Reliability-Based Assessment of an Existing RC Building
    Oluwafemi O. Omotayo
    PDF
  • 12. Design and Fabrication of a Gazebo Using Cross-Laminated Timber Beam and Column Made from Mangifera Indica
    Nureni Adedapo Adewole, Yusuf Kehinde Nusirat, David Adedire Adeniran
    PDF
  • 13. Compressive Strength, Water Absorption and Thermal Performance of One-part Geopolymer Concrete-based Alternative Masonry Units
    Moegamat Tashriq Bhayat, Adewumi John Babafemi, Wibke De Villiers
    PDF

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Published

11 November 2025
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