ISAH Workshop – UK Edition (5 September 2024)

Date: 5 September 2024

Location: London South Bank University, London, England

Overview

As part of the second phase of the Reng project the UCT team brought the ISAH initiative to the United Kingdom on 5 September 2024. This workshop served as an international extension of the ISAH symposium, focused on promoting sustainable housing solutions tailored to urban community needs.

The event was a unique opportunity to showcase how South Africa’s informal housing innovations and alternative building technologies (ABTs) could contribute to the global discourse on affordable and sustainable housing.

About the Workshop

The workshop’s primary objectives were to:

1. Promote Sustainable Housing Solutions: Address the housing needs of urban communities with scalable, environmentally-friendly approaches.

2. Explore the Role of ABTs: Highlight the potential of alternative building technologies in solving housing challenges, particularly in informal settlement contexts.

3. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: Foster collaboration between industry experts, community representatives, and participants through presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions.

4. Empower Participants: Equip attendees with incremental design strategies and practical knowledge for implementing sustainable housing solutions, particularly relevant to South Africa’s informal housing sector.

Workshop Highlights

1. Presentations on Global Housing Trends

   • Experts from the UK and South Africa shared insights into sustainable housing practices and emerging trends in ABTs.

   • Discussions centered on how lessons from informal housing practices in South Africa could be adapted to urban contexts worldwide.

2. Interactive Sessions

   • Hands-on activities focused on incremental design techniques, showcasing how ABTs can be integrated into affordable housing models.

   • Participants collaborated on case studies, identifying challenges and brainstorming solutions for urban housing issues.

3. Challenges and Implementation Strategies

   • Real-world challenges in implementing ABTs were discussed, such as material sourcing, labor skill gaps, and regulatory hurdles.

   • The workshop explored how cross-sector collaborations could address these obstacles and scale ABT solutions.

4. Sustainable Design for Informal Housing

   • A specific focus was placed on incremental and adaptable housing designs suited for South African informal settlements, ensuring durability, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Visit to Royal Academy of Engineering Office

In addition to hosting the workshop, the UCT team visited the REng office in the UK. During this visit, they personally delivered the conference proceedings of the ISAH Symposium held in June 2024. This gesture symbolized the global collaboration fostered by the ISAH initiative and underscored the commitment to sharing knowledge and building partnerships across borders.

Key Outcomes

1. Global Collaboration:

   The workshop fostered stronger connections between South Africa and the UK, paving the way for future collaborative projects in housing innovation.

2. Practical Solutions for Sustainable Housing:

   Participants gained actionable knowledge on integrating ABTs and informal housing technologies into mainstream housing practices.

3. Advocacy for ABTs:

   The event reinforced the value of ABTs in addressing housing challenges, inspiring participants to consider these technologies in their local contexts.

4. Strengthened Relationships:

   The visit to Reng further solidified partnerships with international stakeholders, ensuring the ongoing exchange of ideas and resources for advancing sustainable housing solutions.

Looking Ahead

The ISAH UK workshop was a significant milestone in broadening the reach of our initiative. By bringing South African innovations to an international audience, we continue to advocate for sustainable and inclusive housing solutions. The workshop also laid the groundwork for future collaborations, ensuring that the lessons learned in informal settlements can inspire transformative change worldwide.

The success of this event highlights the potential for South Africa’s housing solutions to influence global practices and reinforce the importance of cross-border knowledge sharing in addressing the housing crisis.

Snapshots of ISAH UK Workshop