The task of forming the local bodies was entrusted to the MPs and the SPAs. Two co-operatives were formed and registered. To train a core group of local artisans, HRDU designed a three-week intensive training course, which was given by the Kabiro Human Development Project and the Institute of Cultural Affairs, with help from HRDU.

During actual implementation of the project, paid labour was contributed by the communities, thus making local people more aware of the technology being used. By October 1985, 10 three-roomed houses, each measuring 50 square metres, with external toilet and bath facilities, had been constructed on five sites. They were handed over to the respective Parents-Teachers’ Co-operative Societies in October 1985.

The project resulted in the training of local artisans in the use of appropriate and locally available materials. The communities were shown that the local materials had practical demonstration of their suitability. Since the project was completed other primary schools in the two areas have been asking about the possibility of constructing similar houses. Some of the trained artisans felt so confident about the new techniques that they have established small-scale production years in their homesteads. The local MP also saw the positive side of the project and initiated a 40 housing unit estate in Hakati which was constructed using sisal-cement roofing sheets and locally available laterite soils for walls.

This project supported the view that a number of promising innovative low cost building materials and research findings have basically remained inaccessible to the target groups. One reason for this is that methods used in transferring new technologies to low income population are not effective.

In Kenya, a relatively large number local and foreign institutions and individuals have been and are still involved in one way or other in the search for and dissemination of innovative building materials and construction techniques.

The agencies have adopted different and sometimes non-complimentary dissemination strategies of promoting innovative building materials and construction techniques. There is a complete lack of co-ordinated and integrated dissemination strategy to innovative building technologies in Kenya.

The main dissemination strategies adopted include but are not limited to the following:

The main methods of dissemination which if used properly can have a great impact on raising awareness level.

Through the combined efforts of various agencies, diversified number of buildings have been built since mid-1980s. Another result had been the setting up of a number of small- scale producers of innovative building materials particularly FCR tiles. However, they are facing a number of problems including marketing, limited financial resources for expansion of their business, improper laying of tiles, unwillingness of professionals to specify their materials, recycling of materials, lack of quality control procedures etc. Hollow concrete blocks are also being produced by women groups mainly for the projects mentioned earlier. Another positive result is that a pool of trained artisans is spreading across the country.

The experiences and lessons learnt vary from project to project and from locality to locality. However, it is possible to make general observations, which characterize these projects countrywide, and they are:

Despite efforts in research and development in building technologies and alternative building materials the weakest links between users and institutions or agencies implementing projects are inadequate data and insufficient dissemination efforts.

The importance of systematic data flow was evidenced in the HRDU/GTZ Low Cost Technologies Project and the Improved Rural Technology (IRT) Project in the early 80s, both implemented by HRDU of the University of Nairobi and co-funded by GTZ and USAID, respectively. In the former project local organizations (Youth Polytechnics)*  mobilized local communities in application of locally available building materials. However, the capacity was not sufficient and the youth had to be trained first in the building technologies before community members could be instructed in the production and construction of units. Similar cases arose in the IRT Project where local Primary Teachers Organization were not organized in identifying local artisans who would assist them in building teachers houses based on the affordable technologies. However cost savings of up to 60% were achieved in some houses built on the technologies introduced by the HRDU supervisory staff. Again the follow-up on extension of project in all primary schools failed to take-off because of poor management of the Teachers Co-operative Society, disagreements on the qualified local artisans to take the contract and interference by local leaders. Thus, the uptake of the technologies was not as fast as it should have been.

ITDG’s experiences in Nakuru Municipality during implementation of Enabling Housing Standards Project (EHSP)**  1997-8 noted that the interviewed people in Nakuru including the professionals were not aware that the by-laws on standards had been revised in 1995. This certainly hampered the development of affordable shelter for the people. The local community had put great efforts in accepting and supporting the technologies. One resident in one of the neighborhoods reported savings of over 50% on cost of building two structures using compressed earth blocks and related technologies vis-a-vis using conventional construction methods. The local CBOs and the local authority in Nakuru are currently developing a suitable dissemination strategy of open forums and a newsletter for the stakeholders.

The time lag between introduction, experimenting and acceptance of the building technologies before perfection is extensive. It involves venturing into (untested) areas, which the private developers are wary about. It took a Nairobi-based and private sector firm, Economic Housing Group (EHG) almost fifteen years while collaborating with HRDU to meet and discuss with the Nairobi City Council officials to agree to put up experimental timber housing in Kariobangi in the eastern part of the city. The GTZ/HRDU project is yet another example. The project started in early 80s and was officially handed over in 1992. Yet the acceptance and actual impacts of the project are only appearing in the late 90s.

The housing financial institutions are wary to support projects utilizing affordable building technologies in their portfolio. These institutions argue that they are not ready to invest in untried technologies. But it is important for these institutions to change their inflexible views regarding investment in this area. Otherwise when and how will these technologies get mainstreamed?

The projects where the community and their leaders played a role in the planning, design and implementation of the project, the results were acceptance and quick implementation of the project. This showed that the community was ready to input their time and energy in ensuring success of the project. In these instances, replication of skills and building materials even on individual level were observed. This is true of the Maasai Housing Project in Kajiado District and the pilot EHSP in Nakuru Municipal Council.

Another example where community was involved is the Africa Housing Fund (AHF) Project in Koma Rock, Nairobi. The community requested the funding agency to give a contract to a local women group and supply all roofing tiles. This was accepted and the Humama Women Group organized and trained their members to produce roofing tiles for an incredible 2,000 housing units.

The steps used in the research and application of building technologies are illustrated in the figure given at the bottom of the page.

v) Conflicts between the Building Industry and Environment

The building and construction industry which support building technologies cause conflicts within the neighbourhood like degrading the environment by indiscriminate land uses, quarrying use of non-renewable energy sources, deforestation as found in Ngong area near Nairobi as well as atmospheric pollution.

The main constraints encountered in the transfer of building technologies are:-

a) Lack of vision on building technologies development and policy frame work

b) Lack of reliable and systematic flow of data

c) Inadequate and untapped managerial and technical skills at all levels

d) Poor and lack of institutional capacity to sustain the system

e) Inadequate financial resources

f) Reliance on external funding

g) Inadequate community and private sector involvement

h) The development of building components which use local raw materials and which can be manufactured on a small scale using labour-intensive methods, being used on in significant scale. They face competition against conventional materials, (exempted from sales and other taxes).

i) Inappropriate building codes and standards, consumer resistance and problems of balancing supply and demand.

j) The introduction of appropriate building technologies is not welcome by many government officials and the excuse given is poor quality and untested materials.

k) Consumer preference is on conventional materials (cement and mortar). Contractors, universally conservative about materials, are reluctant to use them in projects.

l) Balancing supply and demand is impossible especially when markets react strongly to the quality, quantity and reliability of supply as well as to the price of a product. These aspects determine demand and supply of locally produced building materials.

The recommended model for effective dissemination of building technologies entails commitment, partnership and clear understanding for all stakeholders. The role of partners, nature and the level of commitment will be agreed by all parties and rewards for innovations should be encouraged.

The recommended actions include:

a) Promotion of marketing strategy for new building technologies

b) Launching of regular newsletter for stakeholders

c) Establishment of joint and regular forum by all stakeholders

d) Financial support of projects and building technologies research and development including informal sector activities by financial institutions.

e) Provision of in-built quality control of building materials