National Stakeholder Forum (NSF) on the Transformation of the Construction Industry

Coceko BJ Pakade, CEO: IDT; and

Joe Odhiambo, CEO: ASA

The Contribution of Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) in the Transformation of the Construction Industry in South Africa

Introduction

The presentation shares lessons on the performance of the Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) as piloted in the delivery and utilisation of social infrastructure.

It also reflects on the contribution of ABTs in the transformation of the construction industry.

The presentation is based on the partnership experiences between the Independent Development Trust (IDT( and Agre’ment South Africa (ASA) in the utilisation of ABTs as an instrument for speeding up service delivery within the context of empowerment of the previously disadvantaged communities.

1

Background

Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) also referred to as Alternative Construction methods (ACMs) or Innovative Building technologies (IBTs) are approved, fit-for-purpose non conventional building technologies. ABTs have been adopted in the construction of social infrastructure facilities (such as, clinics, schools and student accommodation) and in the provision of housing.

The Alternative Building Technologies Indaba hosted by the National DPW in 2010, noted that ABTs are generally environmentally friendly, sustainable and address other challenges facing housing in S.A. particularly speed of delivery. Driven by the desire to assess the suitability of ABTs in the provision of social infrastructure, enhance service delivery and meet COP17 commitments, the Minister of Public Works instituted an ABT pilot programme in 12 rural schools, managed by the IDT in partnership with ASA and CSIR.

Informed by inter alia, the ABT pilot programme, the cabinet took a decision in August 2014 to direct government to use ABTs in 60% of social infrastructure delivery in the country by 2017 (Burger, 2014 in de Villiers, 2012).

2

Inappropriate school structures in the Eastern Cape; June 2011

3

Overview of the Institutions

The IDT is a premier public sector developmental programme implementation and management agency of government. The IDT manages and delivers integrated quality social infrastructure programmes on behalf of government.

ASA is the country’s centre for the assessment and certification of innovative non-standardised construction products, systems, materials, components and processes, which are not fully covered by a South African Bureau of Standard or code of practice. ASA provides assurance of holistic fitness-for-purpose of such technologies which optimise resource utilisation and realise cost savings in industry.

The Public Works Ministry is the Executive Authority to the two institutions, IDT and ASA. The Department of Public Works’ mandate is the provision of infrastructure, management of all fixed assets for and on behalf of government, regulator of the construction industry and champion of public works. The IDT and ASA are among the 4 entities that the National Department of Public Works (DPW) provides oversight to.

4

Old Structures

Pakamani Junior Primary School, Eastern Cape

New Consolidated School Structure

5

Quality School Infrastructure 6

Lessons Learned: Technical efficacy

1. Thermal comfort: low variance in in-door air temperature

2. Energy efficiency: cost of heating and cooling is relatively low

3. Durability low and maintenance frequency is higher and usually a specialist undertaking

4. Quality: aesthetically pleasing, short to medium term

5. Accuracy: High precision due to parts being machine cut

6. Construction costs: Pro-rata rate lower than conventional methodologies

7. Maintenance costs: High over medium to long term due to structural expansion and contraction

8. Environmental: Low carbon footprint and less onsite waste

9. Acoustic insulation: Comparable to conventional systems.

10. Fire resistance: Fit for purpose, but relatively low

7

Lessons Learned: Empowerment Dividends

• Accelerated service delivery

• Due to its modular nature ABT components are easier to handle/work with

• Labour intensity relatively low

• Materials versus labour costs split can be estimated to approximately 80%:20% compared to conventional

construction methodology at 60%:40%

• Skills transfer to targeted community is low due to specialized manufacturing of modular systems off site

• Localization of economic benefits is relatively low

• End user negative perceptions with respect to ABTs

• The choice of ABT should be influenced by the availability of local labour

• Changes can be introduced into the system to maximise local economic contribution

8

Key Issues

• Limited detailed knowledge on the availability, costs, performance, maintenance costs and longevity of ABTs.

• Public sector (Authorities, Government and Implementing Agencies) knowledge still at infancy. This impacts capacity to plan and manage the implementation of ABTs.

• Active knowledge tracking and documentation in progress. Sharing of lessons prioritized.

• End-users remain largely suspicious and distrustful about the ABTs.

• Contracting and maintenance is constrained by the predominant business model, i.e. franchising. (Intellectual Property (IPs) controlled by a few licensed Service providers (SPs) and some are external).

• There are limited contractors that are registered/ Licensee to construct using ABTs. In most cases, existing conventional contractors are not in a position to independently undertake construction of ABTs.

• Major differences and cost benefits materialise from the construction of the superstructure.

9

Elements Assessed for Fit-For-Purpose Certification of ABTs and Utilization in the Piloting Project

ASA Technical Criteria Selection Criteria for Pilot Project

Construction Development

Thermal comfort Design Suitability

Energy efficiency Construction speed Availability

Durability & maintenance Flexibility/Adaptability Likelihood of community acceptance

Air-tightness Modularity Labour intensity

Quality Equipment required Local economic contribution

Accuracy Material intensity & waste

Water and Fire Resistance Deconstruction

Acoustic insulation Recyclability

Environmental Construction & maintenance costs

10

Role of ABTs in the Transformation of Construction Industry

• Accelerating the pace of infrastructure delivery, and consequently increasing access to basic services such as education

• Imparting new construction knowledge as well as skills to communities

• Potential for building local ABT manufacturing factories for optimal job creation. • Creating jobs, albeit at a relatively lower scale in comparison to conventional building methods

• Increase the number of contractors that are able to undertake the construction of ABTs through contractor training

and development programmes (introduce a contractor development programme focused on ABTs)

• Introducing more environmentally friendly and sustainable building methods and facilities (Green buildings)

11

Conclusion (Way Forward to enhance role of ABT’s in Transformation)

• Map out the value chain (involving ABTs) to identify areas for localisation of knowledge, capacity and competencies.

• Build local ABT manufacturing factories for optimal job creation. • Increase the number of contractors that are able to undertake the construction of ABTs

through contractor training and development programmes (introduce a contractor development programme focused on ABTs)

• Promote community acceptance of ABT (e.g. facilities that look and feel like conventional

bricks).

• Invest in Research and Development (R&D) towards indigenous ABTs, e.g. stones, mud bricks, e.t.c.

12

Thank you! Dankie! Enkosi!

Siyabonga! Rea leboha!

cocekop@idt.org.za

jodhiambo@agreement.co.za