Drivers and their Relationship with Inhibitors Influencing the Adoption of Stabilized Earth Construction to Alleviate Urban Housing Crisis in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Addressing urban housing crisis is an enormous challenge for most of the African countries due to the increasing cost of the building material. Zimbabwe is no exception having the same challenges with urban housing crisis. As a matter of fact the conventional construction material is not affordable considering the current economic hardship faced by the majority Zimbabweans. Therefore, an appropriate alternative construction material and technique is essential which can alleviate urban housing crisis in Zimbabwe. The success of the experimented stabilised earth construction projects of urban houses in Zimbabwe widens avenues considering this construction material as an appropriate alternative to the conventional ones and finding out the potential drivers that can help adoption of this technology. This paper aims to refine the drivers and establish its interrelationship with inhibitors with the help of in-depth interview method. First, a critical literature review method is used to come up with a generic list the inhibitors and drivers influencing the adoption of this technology. Second, the identified inhibitors and drivers refined through a series of in-depth interviews to establish drivers and inhibitors influencing the widespread adoption of stabilised earth to address urban low cost housing crisis in Zimbabwe. Third, the analysis of drivers and inhibitors interrelationship understand show the widespread adoption of stabilised earth construction can alleviate urban housing crisis in Zimbabwe.