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Appropriate building materials: A catalogue of potential solutions
270
Book Reviews
How are the new technologies being perceived and described by villagers? Development workers should look for opportunities that will allow the new technology to announce itself in use. • As to the sixth principle, it contends that the identification of solutions that are perceived as modern, or the identification of criteria by which villagers determine respectability, is imperative. • The seventh principle recognises that the attitudes and perceptions of a society towards an idea are determined largely by a relatively small set of locally influential people. It suggests targeting one's interventions at the respected minority, who are considered competent to define the nature of modernity. • The eighth principle states that, on certain occasions, it will be necessary to try and persuade a villager to see his or her problems in a different way. What are the relevant parts of the villager's agenda? What technology could satisfy this agenda? It is important that the social worker be honest about a technology's weaknesses and, if necessary, identify how the agenda of the villager may have to alter for a given solution to become acceptable. Repeating Dudley's words, it is time to stop simply reiterating the cry for community participation. "The challenge is now to get beyond the general principle and determine the practicalities of how participation fits into a larger picture of effective aid for just and sustainable development" (p. 159). Slim and T h o m p s o n maintain that the inclusion of what they call oral testimony in the development debate is a challenge to the development establishment. "Listening to individual testimonies acts as a counterpoint to generalisations and provides important touchstones against which to review the collective version" (p. 5). Listening to people's oral testimony involves accepting a kind of horizontal communication. The process of listening reverses the roles of expert and pupil which have become all too typical of relations between development worker and so-called beneficiary. The process of listening generates greater mutual respect and a more equal and collaborative relationship. It must be recognised that all facets of life are involved in the development process. Interveners deal with the growth and change of civilisations in all its aspects: economy, politics, technology and culture. Dudley suggests that the village-level field worker needs to engage in a mutually useful exchange of ideas with the university professionals. As Slim and Thompson argue, the village-level field worker also needs to engage in a mutually useful exchange of ideas with the villagers themselves. It seems obvious that much is expected from the village-level field worker, be he/she recruited or a volunteer. The village-level field worker would be an agent between two worlds! The Critical Villager and Listening for a Change are excellent books and would be of real interest to community builders, be they governments or NGOs. In addition, since the role of the village-level field workers is so essential, meaning success or failure of the development intervention, these books, because of their focus on the field-work activity, are eminently recommended to these development workers. Marisa B. G. Choguill
University of Sheffield, UK R. STULZ and K. MUKERJI, Appropriate Building Materials." A Catalogue of Potential Solutions. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, 3rd ed. 1995, xi + 434pp., £16.95. This is the 3rd edition of the book, but it differs little from the previous one. The authors observe that this is "because the content of the second edition is still very much up to date with the prevailing situation in the field of appropriate building materials" (Preface). The
Book Reviews
271
book is, indeed, a catalogue of building materials and methods which can be solutions to the problems faced by the poor in developing countries in meeting their housing needs. The book is published jointly by SKAT (France), IT Publications (UK) and GATE (Germany), according to the authors, "in order to maximise the dissemination of the information..." (Preface) The catalogue aims to: (i) summarise relevant available data and information on materials and methods which can offer solutions to construction problems in developing countries; (ii) produce theoretical background information and practical examples to generate ideas for new construction methods; and (iii) contribute to exchange of information among researchers and those who utilise the products resulting from their work. The book is written in a non-technical language, making it accessible to its target readership. It uses graphic information and simple illustrations extensively. The symbols are well explained, and the reader is instructed in the use of the catalogue. The book has three main parts. The first part provides fundamental information. It covers basic information on: (i) building materials; (ii) building elements; and (iii) protective measures. For each building material the following information is provided: (i) general information; (ii) applications; (iii) advantages; (iv) problems; (v) remedies; (vi) preparation methods; and (vii) tests, including simple ones which often require no specialist skills and do not involve the use of equipment, and laboratory tests. The discussion of problems and remedies would be particularly useful to the potential housebuilder, as it highlights difficulties commonly encountered in the processing, storage, placement and usage of each material, and offers practical solutions. The second part of the book covers examples of materials for foundations, floors, walls, roofs; and building systems. In each case, a simple table summarises the information on the material. There are also diagrams and photographs of applications, and sources of further information either in the form of names and addresses of experts, or bibliographical references. The third and final part of the book incorporates annexes which cover machines and equipment, useful addresses of sources of appropriate materials and a comprehensive bibliography. The book would be useful in developing countries as a catalogue which, taken as a whole, can provide a possible solution to a major problem facing many of the citizens of these countries: that of acquiring reasonable quality, yet affordable, housing. The suggestions which follow may guide the authors in making changes during the preparation of the next edition of the catalogue. The title of the book is rather wide. It suggests that the book is about all types of building materials. But, as indicated in the Introduction (p. ix), and in the discussion within the book (for example, on p. 74), the book is about materials for housing. Probably because of an oversight, on pp. 318-24 the diagrams have Spanish notations. Although the diagrams were adopted from a publication from Colombia, the notes could have been translated into English for this version of the book. For this reviewer, the authors devalue the potential appeal of the book by including a disclaimer that the technical data had been compiled from "publications or producers' data sheets. Therefore, neither the authors nor the publishers can be held responsible for any inaccuracies" (p. xi). The factors which the authors consider as determing "appropriateness of a building material" (p. x) can also be criticised. For example, the criterion that the material should be "cheap, abundantly available and/or easily renewable" (p. x) may not always be met. In certain countries, or parts of a country, local materials may neither be cheaper nor abundantly available (at least, in the initial stages of their introduction). Moreover, the criterion of cheapness might contradict the authors' last factor, which requires the materials to be "socially acceptable and of good standard". For each country, the materials and methods outlined may not be appropriate as the raw materials may not be available, and the techniques may not be familiar to the citizens. For the same material, the characterisation of materials with such expressions as "cheap", "lowmedium cost" or 'expensive' may not apply equally to all countries, as factors influencing
272
Book Reviews
costs such as availability of raw materials, market supply of the material and availability of skills for placing it, do not apply equally in all countries. Furthermore, the cost categorisations are quite vague. Some hard data, perhaps in the form of cost ranges obtained through a global survey, could have been presented. Moreover, the indication of "state of experience" could have been more useful in 'selling' the materials presented in the catalogue. For each material, "the state of experience" is indicated by the authors as: "traditional"; "widely used"; "proven design, numerous applications"; "standard construction"; "increasing applications"; and "experimental". Surely, in many cases, a material is at different stages of usage in different parts of the world. What is 'traditional' or 'widely' used in one country may only be at the stage of 'increasing applications' in another. Thus, the indication of the 'state of experience' for each material could have been in the form of a world map showing extent of usage in various parts of the world. A main task of a catalogue of this nature is a 'marketing' function, with the objective not only of informing the uninitiated but also, of converting the sceptical, thereby widening the extent of use of these appropriate materials. But the book ignores the persisting difficulties involved in the introduction of 'appropriate materials' in developing countries. Studies by the UNCHS (1993), Wells (1993) and Syagga (1993), among others, indicate that, in many countries, several of the materials in the catalogue, such as fibre-reinforced concrete, do not meet the criteria outlined by the authors; they are not cheap, not socially acceptable as they are considered to be inferior to the conventional varieties, they are of poor quality and are not durable. A gap in the book for this reviewer is the lack of consideration of mini, portable cement plants which could be a substitute for the heavy and expensive cement plants in which develt~ping countries often invest. Wider utilisation of these smaller plants could relieve shortages of cement, which is used widely in almost all developing countries. Moreover, as many developing countries have oil refineries, greater coverage of the use of sulphur as a building material would have been useful. Finally, the appendices include information on equipment, with a list of names of suppliers. Unfortunately, the coverage is almost solely of block and brickmaking machines.
REFERENCES United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (1993) Building materials for housing: Report of the Executive Director. Habitat International 17, 1-20. Wells, J. (1993) Appropriate building technologies: an appraisal based on case studies of building projects in Senegal and Kenya. Construction Management and Economics I 1,203-216. Syagga, P. M. (1993) Promoting the use of appropriate building materials in shelter provision in Kenya. Habitat International 17, 125-136.
George Ofori National University of Singapore
CAROLE RAKODI, Harare." Inheriting a Settler-Colonial City: Change or Continuity. Wiley, Chichester, 1995, xiv + 298pp., £35.00. Carole Rakodi's book is an excellent scholarly work on the planning and development systems that have characterised the former racially divided countries of Southern Africa. The book puts into perspective the planning and development challenges which urban administrators, planners and policy makers must address if the notion of separate development between whites and other racial groups, which was the basis for planning and development, is to give way to a more harmonious development paradigm which takes into account the development needs of the entire population. The book is, indeed, the first of its kind to have attempted such a wide coverage of issues in planning and development which are at stake in the region. It is a book rich both in theory and practice of urban planning in Third World countries, especially the former British colonies.
Book Reviews
How are the new technologies being perceived and described by villagers? Development workers should look for opportunities that will allow the new technology to announce itself in use. • As to the sixth principle, it contends that the identification of solutions that are perceived as modern, or the identification of criteria by which villagers determine respectability, is imperative. • The seventh principle recognises that the attitudes and perceptions of a society towards an idea are determined largely by a relatively small set of locally influential people. It suggests targeting one's interventions at the respected minority, who are considered competent to define the nature of modernity. • The eighth principle states that, on certain occasions, it will be necessary to try and persuade a villager to see his or her problems in a different way. What are the relevant parts of the villager's agenda? What technology could satisfy this agenda? It is important that the social worker be honest about a technology's weaknesses and, if necessary, identify how the agenda of the villager may have to alter for a given solution to become acceptable. Repeating Dudley's words, it is time to stop simply reiterating the cry for community participation. "The challenge is now to get beyond the general principle and determine the practicalities of how participation fits into a larger picture of effective aid for just and sustainable development" (p. 159). Slim and T h o m p s o n maintain that the inclusion of what they call oral testimony in the development debate is a challenge to the development establishment. "Listening to individual testimonies acts as a counterpoint to generalisations and provides important touchstones against which to review the collective version" (p. 5). Listening to people's oral testimony involves accepting a kind of horizontal communication. The process of listening reverses the roles of expert and pupil which have become all too typical of relations between development worker and so-called beneficiary. The process of listening generates greater mutual respect and a more equal and collaborative relationship. It must be recognised that all facets of life are involved in the development process. Interveners deal with the growth and change of civilisations in all its aspects: economy, politics, technology and culture. Dudley suggests that the village-level field worker needs to engage in a mutually useful exchange of ideas with the university professionals. As Slim and Thompson argue, the village-level field worker also needs to engage in a mutually useful exchange of ideas with the villagers themselves. It seems obvious that much is expected from the village-level field worker, be he/she recruited or a volunteer. The village-level field worker would be an agent between two worlds! The Critical Villager and Listening for a Change are excellent books and would be of real interest to community builders, be they governments or NGOs. In addition, since the role of the village-level field workers is so essential, meaning success or failure of the development intervention, these books, because of their focus on the field-work activity, are eminently recommended to these development workers. Marisa B. G. Choguill
University of Sheffield, UK R. STULZ and K. MUKERJI, Appropriate Building Materials." A Catalogue of Potential Solutions. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, 3rd ed. 1995, xi + 434pp., £16.95. This is the 3rd edition of the book, but it differs little from the previous one. The authors observe that this is "because the content of the second edition is still very much up to date with the prevailing situation in the field of appropriate building materials" (Preface). The
Book Reviews
271
book is, indeed, a catalogue of building materials and methods which can be solutions to the problems faced by the poor in developing countries in meeting their housing needs. The book is published jointly by SKAT (France), IT Publications (UK) and GATE (Germany), according to the authors, "in order to maximise the dissemination of the information..." (Preface) The catalogue aims to: (i) summarise relevant available data and information on materials and methods which can offer solutions to construction problems in developing countries; (ii) produce theoretical background information and practical examples to generate ideas for new construction methods; and (iii) contribute to exchange of information among researchers and those who utilise the products resulting from their work. The book is written in a non-technical language, making it accessible to its target readership. It uses graphic information and simple illustrations extensively. The symbols are well explained, and the reader is instructed in the use of the catalogue. The book has three main parts. The first part provides fundamental information. It covers basic information on: (i) building materials; (ii) building elements; and (iii) protective measures. For each building material the following information is provided: (i) general information; (ii) applications; (iii) advantages; (iv) problems; (v) remedies; (vi) preparation methods; and (vii) tests, including simple ones which often require no specialist skills and do not involve the use of equipment, and laboratory tests. The discussion of problems and remedies would be particularly useful to the potential housebuilder, as it highlights difficulties commonly encountered in the processing, storage, placement and usage of each material, and offers practical solutions. The second part of the book covers examples of materials for foundations, floors, walls, roofs; and building systems. In each case, a simple table summarises the information on the material. There are also diagrams and photographs of applications, and sources of further information either in the form of names and addresses of experts, or bibliographical references. The third and final part of the book incorporates annexes which cover machines and equipment, useful addresses of sources of appropriate materials and a comprehensive bibliography. The book would be useful in developing countries as a catalogue which, taken as a whole, can provide a possible solution to a major problem facing many of the citizens of these countries: that of acquiring reasonable quality, yet affordable, housing. The suggestions which follow may guide the authors in making changes during the preparation of the next edition of the catalogue. The title of the book is rather wide. It suggests that the book is about all types of building materials. But, as indicated in the Introduction (p. ix), and in the discussion within the book (for example, on p. 74), the book is about materials for housing. Probably because of an oversight, on pp. 318-24 the diagrams have Spanish notations. Although the diagrams were adopted from a publication from Colombia, the notes could have been translated into English for this version of the book. For this reviewer, the authors devalue the potential appeal of the book by including a disclaimer that the technical data had been compiled from "publications or producers' data sheets. Therefore, neither the authors nor the publishers can be held responsible for any inaccuracies" (p. xi). The factors which the authors consider as determing "appropriateness of a building material" (p. x) can also be criticised. For example, the criterion that the material should be "cheap, abundantly available and/or easily renewable" (p. x) may not always be met. In certain countries, or parts of a country, local materials may neither be cheaper nor abundantly available (at least, in the initial stages of their introduction). Moreover, the criterion of cheapness might contradict the authors' last factor, which requires the materials to be "socially acceptable and of good standard". For each country, the materials and methods outlined may not be appropriate as the raw materials may not be available, and the techniques may not be familiar to the citizens. For the same material, the characterisation of materials with such expressions as "cheap", "lowmedium cost" or 'expensive' may not apply equally to all countries, as factors influencing
272
Book Reviews
costs such as availability of raw materials, market supply of the material and availability of skills for placing it, do not apply equally in all countries. Furthermore, the cost categorisations are quite vague. Some hard data, perhaps in the form of cost ranges obtained through a global survey, could have been presented. Moreover, the indication of "state of experience" could have been more useful in 'selling' the materials presented in the catalogue. For each material, "the state of experience" is indicated by the authors as: "traditional"; "widely used"; "proven design, numerous applications"; "standard construction"; "increasing applications"; and "experimental". Surely, in many cases, a material is at different stages of usage in different parts of the world. What is 'traditional' or 'widely' used in one country may only be at the stage of 'increasing applications' in another. Thus, the indication of the 'state of experience' for each material could have been in the form of a world map showing extent of usage in various parts of the world. A main task of a catalogue of this nature is a 'marketing' function, with the objective not only of informing the uninitiated but also, of converting the sceptical, thereby widening the extent of use of these appropriate materials. But the book ignores the persisting difficulties involved in the introduction of 'appropriate materials' in developing countries. Studies by the UNCHS (1993), Wells (1993) and Syagga (1993), among others, indicate that, in many countries, several of the materials in the catalogue, such as fibre-reinforced concrete, do not meet the criteria outlined by the authors; they are not cheap, not socially acceptable as they are considered to be inferior to the conventional varieties, they are of poor quality and are not durable. A gap in the book for this reviewer is the lack of consideration of mini, portable cement plants which could be a substitute for the heavy and expensive cement plants in which develt~ping countries often invest. Wider utilisation of these smaller plants could relieve shortages of cement, which is used widely in almost all developing countries. Moreover, as many developing countries have oil refineries, greater coverage of the use of sulphur as a building material would have been useful. Finally, the appendices include information on equipment, with a list of names of suppliers. Unfortunately, the coverage is almost solely of block and brickmaking machines.
REFERENCES United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (1993) Building materials for housing: Report of the Executive Director. Habitat International 17, 1-20. Wells, J. (1993) Appropriate building technologies: an appraisal based on case studies of building projects in Senegal and Kenya. Construction Management and Economics I 1,203-216. Syagga, P. M. (1993) Promoting the use of appropriate building materials in shelter provision in Kenya. Habitat International 17, 125-136.
George Ofori National University of Singapore
CAROLE RAKODI, Harare." Inheriting a Settler-Colonial City: Change or Continuity. Wiley, Chichester, 1995, xiv + 298pp., £35.00. Carole Rakodi's book is an excellent scholarly work on the planning and development systems that have characterised the former racially divided countries of Southern Africa. The book puts into perspective the planning and development challenges which urban administrators, planners and policy makers must address if the notion of separate development between whites and other racial groups, which was the basis for planning and development, is to give way to a more harmonious development paradigm which takes into account the development needs of the entire population. The book is, indeed, the first of its kind to have attempted such a wide coverage of issues in planning and development which are at stake in the region. It is a book rich both in theory and practice of urban planning in Third World countries, especially the former British colonies.