Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010
3 The various implications
of “disentanglement” in the
Built Environment
3.1 The technical implications of
“disentanglement”
The construction industry is perceived to be
relatively conservative and open systems
have been promoted by those who have
pointed to the incapability of traditional
building processes to cope with sophisticated
production (Westra, 2002: 1667). However the
articulation of the interface between different
technical systems is paramount to the above
approaches – leading to a systems approach
as a tool and moving away from traditional
systems of construction.
In the South African context, linking up with
existing industries, and combining indigenous
knowledge and modular building systems as
a means of providing low-income housing
may be a relatively unexplored option.
Liaison with existing industries in townships
is believed to offer opportunities for relevance
and flexibility in design as well as support for
local entrepreneurship and the fostering of
meaningful partnerships and interventions.
In this way local technology and “what
exists on the ground” is taken as a point of
departure for research and intervention, and
not some obscure and possibly irrelevant
theory far removed from reality. Taking locally
available skills as a starting point for a design
process reinforces the idea that technological
innovation has to adapt to local capacities and
not vice-versa. “Real” sites become locations
for technological and cultural exchange
allowing for more understanding of emergent
enterprises leading to better informed decisions
regarding housing design and technology.
By sharing knowledge and transferring
technical know-how to small, medium and
micro construction enterprises, knowledge
gaps in the construction sector may be
addressed.
3.1.1 Modular systems
Using modular systems may facilitate quicker
construction and save costs (Martin 2001: 32).
Modular systems are affordable, adaptable
and their quality can be assured through
manufacture under controlled conditions. A
rudimentary form of modularisation is already
being used in South African townships.
When considering existing shack-building
techniques, smaller, staggered modules may
be used achieving more stable structures. The
modules thus become easier to transport and
to use for alternative combinations which may
ultimately offer more variety. Juxtaposition
of smaller panels offers more stability and
provides sufficient space for insulation and
alternative cladding solutions (Osman &
Peeters, 2005). Innovative solutions to the
junctions of these panels may offer stability
without loosing the potential adaptability
and ease of dismantling, transportation and
reconstruction, which are qualities inherent
in informal structures. In addition to that,
informal structures are also manufactured
off-site, are easily constructed by users and
are light-weight. Perhaps these qualities may
inform new innovative soutions, albeit with
more quality and robustness Perhaps these
solutions may be used in single family houses
and multi-family medium and higher density
option as infill/fit-out at the secondary
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