Utilizing Emerging Construction Tech For Affordable Housing

Background to the Problem

In as much as there is a great need to perpetuate relevance in the long term for business, construction firms particularly don’t adopt innovation as a strategic goals (Dulaimi, 2002). Integration of emerging technologies is a big challenge in the construction industry (Noppen, 2012). The low levels of technological development in third world countries, is therefore a major impediment in the Kenyan market in rolling out technology in construction.

Kenyans have been slow in embracing emerging technology and have a strong bias to traditional construction methods and techniques, hence a majority of Kenyans have stuck to the stereotypical mind-set of using conventional masonry and concrete techniques (Noppen, 2012). Syagga (1993) asserts that the use of appropriate building materials in the provision of affordable housing in Kenya was initiated in the 70s, but little has changed in the actual practice of the construction sector. Ngigi, (2016) attributes this to the emerging technologies not really being appropriate or simple ignorance. Lack of extensive knowledge on facts concerning costs of emerging technologies could also be contributing to the low uptake and slow adoption.

The housing deficit in Kenya stands at 2 million homes and that number continues to grow at two hundred thousand homes every year (KNBS, 2015). Like most of the other developing countries in Africa, Kenya’s housing sector has experienced severe housing shortages relative to demand. In fact, as demand has been rising consistently over the years, supply has been slow to respond, meeting approximately between 0.1 % and 2.2 % of the demand (Gachuru, 2005). Supply, on the other hand, has been low by the Ministry of Housing estimating the total annual supply to be at 50,000 units (KIPPRA, 2019). Affordability problems in construction are manifested in the high levels of homelessness, poor human settlement conditions, and high price of housing relative to the incomes of households, mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures (CAHF, 2012). It is in the wake of this problem that the government of Kenya under the big 4 agenda seeks to put up 500,000 units by 2022 and has allocated 6.5 billion shillings to the project (KIPPRA, 2019).

Statement of the Problem

There is underutilisation and generally a slow uptake of emerging technology in Kenya’s construction industry, preventing the sector from achieving reduced construction costs, safer working conditions, value for money and better quality. The cost of constructing a house is directly proportional to its selling price (Glaeser, 2004). This implies that the methods and technology used to construct a house has a heavy bearing on the final cost of the house. There is no use designing a building which meets aesthetic, dimensional, technological, clientele, functional and aesthetic needs, yet the client can’t afford (IQSK, 2018). Affordability problems, which are as a result of ballooning urbanization and high housing costs need to be addressed. Urbanization comes with challenges manifested in the acute shortage of housing resulting to overcrowding, high house prices, slums and squatter settlements, inadequate infrastructure, community facilities and services (Obudho, 1998). Affordable housing would be units that can be afforded by individuals who earn 50,000 shillings and below per month, which is a total of 74.4 percent of persons employed in the formal sector in Kenya (KNBS, 2015). Considering expenses and other commitments, such hardworking Kenyans cannot afford to build houses or own them. There are quite a number of avenues to address this problem, including technologies, which provides a new dynamic to how construction can be undertaken (Noppen, 2012). The ideal situation would be for a Kenyan to at least afford housing with a third of his income, and for technology to be sufficiently used all the way from planning and conception of the project to the handover of the project. Construction practitioners should embrace emerging technologies in order to address the housing crisis, in terms of cost and quality.

Specific Objective

• To find out the emerging construction technologies and methods being used in the Kenyan construction industry
• To establish the challenges faced by developers in their attempts to use emerging technologies in construction
• To establish a cost comparison between current and emerging methods and technology

Justification of the Study

Only about 11% of Kenyans earn enough to support a mortgage (CAHF, 2012).Affordability is more acute among low and middle income groups in society. This study will impact the economy in finding out the cost implications of emerging construction technology. This can be attributed to the fact that construction forms 5.6% of the GDP of the country and employs an amalgam of both skilled and unskilled labour. Findings from the study will be significant in finding out what environmentally friendly methods are available. The study will also encompass the legal aspects of housing and challenge not only the government’s, but also the private sector’s involvement in innovation and research in construction. The study will majorly look at the emerging technologies in construction and how they can be used to reduce to reduce the ballooning housing deficit whilst improving quality, value for money and improving working safety.

Significance of the Study

The analyses and findings from this research are of interest to researchers, academicians and policy makers. Researchers and housing experts are keen to understand how emerging technology is relevant and significant in the Kenyan housing sector. This knowledge will be essential in achieving a paradigm or prototype towards immediate and sustained housing affordability which is necessary towards the realization of Kenya Vision 2030 and the BIG 4 agenda. The Vision 2030 strategy envisions a Nation that is adequately and decently housed in a sustainable environment, in conjunction with technology science and innovation. The main goal of Vision 2030 with regard to housing is to increase production of housing and to achieve better development and access to affordable housing among all the households in Kenya. Most or majority of research in terms of affordable housing relates to how to reduce costs and time by looking at present materials. Little attention has been given to new and emerging technology, or how it can be used to achieve the same. It is important to know that change is inevitable, and the beauty of diversity in construction allows stakeholders and clients alike to explore, identify and implement new technology right from the conception of a project to make construction more affordable. By also looking at the government’s agenda of providing affordable housing, this research could not have come at a better time.

Scope of the Study

Despite the fact that emerging trends and technology is indeed a worldwide agenda, this study will mainly focus to the Kenyan context. This will enable convenience in research and data collection. Proximity to the industry will also be an added advantage in talking to relevant stakeholders and how they are implementing new technology in achieving affordable housing.