More than 400 participants converge in Quito to debate sustainable construction

Quito 28 April 2015-- More than 400 participants recently converged in Quito, Ecuador for the first International Forum on Sustainable Cities and Buildings that addressed various topics around sustainable construction. The event was organized by the Secretariat of Territory, Habitat and Housing and the Secretariat of Environment of the Metropolitan District of Quito (MDQ), in cooperation with the Ecuadorian Green Building Council (CEES).

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Number of pages
55
Publication date
2009
Publisher
UN-Habitat

Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks , Appropriate earth technologies in Uganda

Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block (ISSB) technology has been gaining recognition, particularly in East Africa. This material and method of construction has the advantages of low cost and minimal environmental impact, while providing comparable quality to conventional fired brick construction. With a growing number of organisations using the technology there is a need to improve communication and knowledge-sharing, to quantify and verify the benefits, and to develop efficient approaches for its promotion and adoption.

The purpose of this publication is to promote the use of ISSB by sharing some case studies of successful adoption and adaptation to local contexts. It also highlights some of the challenges faced in developing and promoting the technology with some key lessons learned from projects in northern Uganda. This document provides stakeholders interested in the sustainable development of human settlements with a reference tool for an innovative construction method in practice.

Handmade architecture as a catalyst for development - Anna Heringer, UNESCO Chair for Earthen Architecture

In this lecture, Anna Heringer presents a series of projects where the choice of building materials and techniques has had a major influence on distribution of resources, participation and equality. Emphasizing that 'we cannot build houses of only steel and concrete for seven billion people' she proposes a strategy of bringing global creativity to the local materials, local skills and local potentials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KQhbx3e_JM

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