Drivers to the Adoption of Alternative Building Technologies for Housing Delivery in South Africa

The shortage of adequate housing is a significant challenge facing many countries, including South Africa. Despite the government’s efforts to address this issue through various policies and programs, the demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. Alternative building technologies (ABTs) have emerged as a potential solution to this problem, offering faster, cheaper, and more sustainable construction methods compared to traditional brick-and-mortar techniques. However, the level of adoption of ABTs in South Africa remains low, and there is a need to understand the drivers that can increase their uptake. This article explores the factors that influence the adoption of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. To achieve this, the study employs a quantitative research approach which involves the design and distribution of questionnaire surveys to build environment professionals. The retrieved data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS software. Findings revealed that achieving sustainable construction and the need to save costs on construction projects are the major drivers for adopting ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. The findings of this study are relevant not only to policymakers and practitioners in the housing sector but also to researchers and academics interested in sustainable building practices and the role of technology in development.