The use of alternative building materials in developing countries: addressing challenges faced by stakeholders

Abstract

The rising concern on inefficient wood consumption associated with shelter development has led to policy and regulatory reforms to address such problems in most countries in recent years. The use of alternative building materials (ABMs) and technology, for example, have been proposed by decision makers as one of the ways of curbing deforestation hence promoting sustainable development. Although the use of alternative materials has enhanced housing stocks where these are appropriately employed, there are several problems faced by developers to embrace the proposed strategies more particular in developing countries. Focusing on the Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), this paper proposes strategies the decision makers would employ to promote the use of ABMs. In this paper, which is based on the extensive literature review of an ongoing academic research to find ways for promoting sustainability in developing countries, it is noted that cost of raw materials, flaw of sustainability definition as well as the lack of information related to the building sector are some of the limitations for building stakeholders to promote the use of ABMs. Therefore, the course of actions proposed is regarded as one of the possible ways for decision makers to take into consideration to improve the current situation in the building sector in SSA and beyond.