Page 32 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 35
P. 32
The Environment
The Environment
By Ronald Mbiu, Nairobi Kenya.
Embracing Local Building Techniques and
Codes for a Sustainable Future
he construction industry globally has
long relied on Westernized building
Tcodes and materials, especially in
developing nations striving to modernize and create homegrown building codes that are
achieve what is deemed “progressive.” While better suited to the context and conditions of
many of these building systems have their the regions they serve.
merits, there is a growing movement to look
to indigenous knowledge and local building Why Local Building Techniques Matter
techniques as solutions to modern problems
like cost, sustainability, climate adaptation Local building techniques have evolved
and the preservation of cultural heritage. It over centuries, developed by communities
is vital not only to embrace local building that understood and adapted to the local
practices but also to document them and environment, climate, and available
resources. These techniques have practical
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