Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

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Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010 8.5 Employment 8.6 Conclusion There is no doubt that unemployment is one of the major problems in South Africa. The creation of more job opportunities should therefore be one of the main priorities, if not the top priority, in any attempt to stimulate local economic development. In many poor communities in South Africa, e.g. in Kuruman in the Northern Cape, small entrepreneurs have started to produce earth blocks in accordance with traditional skills, but with material that has been upgraded (by adding cement to adobe blocks). These groups run small brickyards, and make a living from selling the blocks. These existing small businesses that have been running successfully for a period of time should be supported, either financially or through training (Diedericks, 2001: 50). This provides another argument in favour of supporting local brickmakers as a potential source of further local economic development. Considering the rich tradition of building with earth (Gerneke, 1992a/b/c), and taking into account such factors as the local climate, the use of local raw materials, the minimal environmental impact, the labor-intensity, and the lower costs involved in earth construction, building with earth can be regarded as an appropriate technology for housing in South Africa. The South African Government (on all three levels) and academic institutions have an important role to play in this regard. The diversity and ability of earth construction to adapt to contemporary architecture could be utilised much more effectively in government and semi government initiatives. If the commitment towards sustainable development is to be taken seriously at all, the importance of earth construction must not be overlooked. Building high profile buildings all over the country using earth will be a means to show that the negative attitudes on earth architecture can be changed. The results of this research did not give the expected outcomes. However Edison, when asked how many failures he had in experiments during the invention of the electric bulb, replied that it was not failures but data showing which avenues in his research did not work. Earth construction traditionally is for dry areas. Modern technology in earth construction must still convince people that this type of construction can also be used in wetter conditions. However this convincing will take time and should not be conducted during or after floods. More research and intervention in people’s attitudes towards earth construction should be done in this country in order to reduce our ecological footprint. 214
Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010 References Diedericks, M. (2001). The planner and local economic development. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State. Du Plessis, C. (2003). Analysing the sustainability of human settlements in South Africa – Challenges and methods. Conference: Technology and Management for Sustainable Building, 26-30 May 2003, Pretoria: CSIR Building and Construction Technology. Du Plessis, C. (ed.). (2002). Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction in Developing Countries. A discussion document. Pretoria: CSIR Building and Construction Technology. Fathy, H. (1989). Gourna. A tale of two villages. Cairo: Ministry of Culture. Fransen, H. and Cook, M. (1965). The old houses of the Cape. Cape Town: A.A. Balkema. Frescura, F. (1985). Major developments in the rural indigenous architecture of South Africa of the post-difane period. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. Gerneke, G. (1992). The return to Earth. Architecture SA, March + April 1992 (part 1); May + June 1992 (part 2); July + August 1992 (part 3). Greig, D. (1971). A guide to architecture in South Africa. Cape Town: Timmins. Haas, M. & Schmid, P. (1990). Bio-logisch bouwen en wonen: gezond voor mens en milieu. Deventer: Ankh-Hermes. Houben, H. & Guillaud, H. (1994). Earth construction - a comprehensive guide. London: Intermediate Technology Publications Labuschagne, E. (1998). From trekboer to builder, in Fischer, R.C. Le Roux, S. & Mare, E. (eds). Architecture of the Transvaal, Pretoria: University of South Africa. Papaneck, V.J. (1995). The green imperative: ecology and ethics in design and architecture. London: Thames and Hudson. Pawley, M. (1975). Garbage housing. London: Architectural Press. Pithouse, R (2009) A progressive Policy without progressive politics: Lessons from the failure to implement ‘Breaking New Ground’. Town and Regional Planning Special edition: Reflections on the 215
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