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Sustainability of Social Housing in Asia: A Holistic Multi-Perspective Development Process for Bamboo-Based Construction in the Philippines

Authors

Corinna Salzer
Holger Wallbaum, Chalmers University of Technology
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
Jean Luc Kouyoumji

Abstract

This paper highlights the need for more inclusive and sustainable development of social housing in rapidly developing countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. In the example of the Philippines, a multi-perspective development process for a bamboo-based building system is developed. Sustainability Assessment Criteria are defined through literature review, field observations, and interviews with three stakeholder clusters: (1) Builders and users of traditional bamboo houses in the Philippines; (2) Stakeholders involved in using forest products for housing in other countries around the world; and (3) Stakeholders in the field of social housing in the Philippines. Through coding and sorting of data in qualitative content analysis, 15 sustainability assessment criteria are identified clustered into the dimensions of society, ecology, economy, governance, and technology. Guided by the sustainability criteria and four implementation strategies: (A) Research about and (B) Implementation of the building technology; (C) Participation and Capacity Building of Stakeholders; and (D) Sustainable Supply Chains, a strategic roadmap was created naming, in total, 28 action items. Through segmentation of the complex problem into these action items, the paper identifies one-dimensional methods leading to measurable, quantitative endpoints. In this way, qualitative stakeholder data is translated into quantitative methods, forming a pathway for a holistic assessment of the building technologies. A mid-point, multi-criteria, or pareto decision-making method comparing the 28 endpoints of the alternative to currently practiced conventional solutions is suggested as a subject for further research. This framework paper is a contribution to how sustainable building practices can become more inclusive, incorporating the building stock of low-income dwellers. It bridges the gap between the theoretical approach and practical applications of sustainability and underlines the strength of combining multi-dimensional development with stakeholder participation.

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Innovation for Low-Rise Construction in the Urban Tropics: Utilization of Structural Bamboo for Cost-Efficient Housing

Authors

Corinna Elaine Salzer
Clara Camarasa, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Abstract

This paper deals with a cost-efficient construction technology using load-bearing bamboo for urban low-rise housing in tropical Asia-Pacific. The potential of the technology to be applied a larger scale is discussed in the example of the Philippines as a pilot country for its application. The assessment of alternative construction methods such as this one is motivated by a tremendous need for more affordable, sustainable, and resilient housing around the globe. The urban poor, being the most underserved group in need of housing, often cannot afford conventional building technologies offered by the formal industry. Using locally available bamboo as a structural component within the introduced standardized and quality-controlled construction method is an entry point to provide performing and safe housing at a lower cost. The paper highlights, however, that cost-efficiency and technical performance are not the only requirements for innovations to succeed in a market, especially due to the complex challenge of urban poor housing. Through learnings from the construction of 50 houses in the Philippines and interviews with various stakeholders along the value chain of the technology, barriers and opportunities for a scale-up are retrieved. For this paper, a conflated non-exhaustive overview of the identified aspects is documented. It was found that both barriers and opportunities directly linked to this technology are closely tied to a complex local value chain which ranges from the upstream supply of raw material to downstream customer acceptance. The pilot application has shown further, that participatory product development reduces the acceptance barrier significantly by directly addressing the needs of low-income customers. Material and skills availability, enabling policies and approval by legal entities as well as sustainability in supply of the organic raw material play important roles too. This complex set of interlinked aspects needs to be addressed according to targets in implementation-pace, and -scale as well as its intended social value creation. While multi-stakeholder participation is required for a successful up-scaling, a facilitating social enterprise, providing knowledge and services around the technology, can guide through the up-scaling.

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Environmental Savings Potential from the Use of Bahareque (Mortar Cement Plastered Bamboo) In Switzerland

Authors

Edwin Zea Escamilla, ETH Zurich
Guillaume Habert, ETH Zurich
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.

Abstract

The urgency for energy and material efficiency in the building sector increases every day. In the case of Switzerland, a building’s main energy demand occurs during its use/operation phase and is mainly related to heating demands during the winter season. As a means of reducing these demands, the current building practice in Switzerland is to insulate with 30cm of foam and to mechanically control indoor environments. Recent research has shown, however, that alternatives to current practice are readily available. With these alternative techniques, natural materials with low embodied energy are used to produce high-efficiency building envelopes. The bahareque construction method (bamboo plastered with mortar cement) studied in this paper has been identified as a promising technology both in terms of producing energy-efficient building envelopes and also with regards to reducing the environmental impact associated with the construction of buildings in Switzerland. The main objective of the research presented here was to identify the Environmental Savings Potential (ESP) of bahareque in comparison with state-of-the-art technologies in Switzerland. The calculations were geographically limited to Switzerland and the main data sets used for the life cycle assessment models corresponded to this region. Specific datasets were developed for bamboo and bahareque to account for transoceanic transportation. The results showed that bahareque achieves an ESP of 32% compared with clay brick construction and 40% when compared with concrete block construction. It was shown that it is feasible to develop highly efficient building envelopes with low embodied energy that can be used within the Swiss context.

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Exploratory Study Of The Glued Laminated Bamboo Guadua Angustifolia As A Structural Material (Estudio Exploratorio De Los Laminados De Bambú Guadua Angustifolia Como Material Estructural)

Authors

Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
Juan F. Correal, Los Andes University (Colombia)

Abstract

An exploratory study, conducted at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, on the potential use of glued laminated bamboo guadua (Guadua Angustifolia Kunt) as a structural material is presented in this paper. The influence of the direction of the fiber and the location of the laminae in the mechanical properties is discussed. The compression, tension, shear, and flexural design stresses of glued laminated guadua are compared to those of Andean structural woods (lumber). Additionally, the effect on the mechanical properties of the bond strength of the adhesive at different test temperatures is investigated. Based on the mechanical properties obtained in this research, glued laminated guadua bamboo can be a suitable construction material for structures.

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