Challenges Facing the Use of Alternative Building Technologies for Housing Delivery in South Africa

Housing delivery is a major challenge facing countries globally. In South Africa, government has implemented several programs to address this issue, such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and the Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing policy. However, the traditional construction methods used for housing delivery have proven to be slow, expensive, and unsustainable. Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) offer a potential solution to these challenges, as they provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to housing delivery. Despite the benefits of ABTs, their adoption in South Africa has been slow, with traditional construction methods still dominating the market. This article aims to explore the challenges facing the use of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa and provide insights into how these challenges can be overcome. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the study and a questionnaire survey was used to retrieve data from respondents who are professionals in the construction industry. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study revealed that lack of ABT knowledge and resistance to change are the major challenges facing the adoption of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. The paper recommended the need for effective policy measures, stakeholder collaboration, and increased awareness of ABTs to promote their uptake in the country’s housing sector.