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Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Construction technology

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    An inquiry into the socio-economic influence on the architecture of the Quarry Road West informal settlement, eThekwini Municipality
    (2023-05) Matangana, Khayakazi; Tecle-Misghina, Belula; Whelan, Deborah
    Informal settlements are present worldwide under various names, forms and typologies. According to the UN-Habitat (2015a), over half of the world’s population lives in cities with over a billion people living in informal settlements. The global south appears to be experiencing a dramatic urban population growth, with sub-Saharan Africa expected to double its numbers in the next two decades. In South Africa, the lack of access to adequate and affordable housing in the city forces low-income and urban poor to resort to building their own homes. These dwellings are built precariously, from recycled and affordable materials with sometimes poor performance, given the low wage group of the builders. These dwellings are built to cater to the residents’ immediate housing needs, while also conveying a narrative and meaning through the aesthetics and the configuration of the physical form, defined by their socioeconomic realities. Despite various interventions put in place by developing cities to curb the spread of informal settlements, they continue to grow (UNHabitat 2015a). This research is an enquiry into how the socio-economic status of an informal settlement community influences the architecture of their environment. The analysis of foundational theories on human settlements and housing in the 20th century and literature review, assist to establish a quality benchmark as a reference. Further, the research advances an inquiry into the spatial patterns and dwelling configuration that influence human comfort and security, through a qualitative review of existing spatial studies, interviews with key informants and the use of a case study. The building materials and techniques used to build the structures, which define the built form narrative, is scrutinised from a spatial, technical and economic perspective, and put into context within the city and national building standards. The outcome of this research is intended to give guidance on an alternative design framework that is based on the findings from the analysis of the existing socio-economic parameters and built form. The Quarry Road West Informal Settlement (QRWIS) which is located in the city of Durban, South Africa is selected as a case study.
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    Academic training evaluation of building technology programme
    (Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, 2022-08-01) Obaju, Biodun; Fagbenle, Olaposibo; Amusan, Lekan; Olaniran, Temitope
    Training evaluation is one method through which tertiary institutions examine the effectiveness of the training they deliver in order to establish their students' readiness for the workplace. However, several higher institutions' evaluation methods have been confined to assessment in tests and exams without considering the knowledge and competencies acquired by students via training in fulfilling workplace expectations. Hence, the study assessed the training received by Building technology graduates in construction management and construction technology courses. The study adopted the Kirkpatrick model's first two stages of training evaluation (Reaction and Learning levels) with a questionnaire distributed to purposively selected Building technology graduates from two polytechnics in Southwestern Nigeria using a snowball sampling technique. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistical tools. The study's findings show that respondents were satisfied with the training acquired and possess the basic competency from the training. However, the graduates lack sufficient knowledge of laws and regulations governing construction work, the use of computer programme for planning and scheduling projects and the ability to use tools and equipment for construction work. The study findings imply that building graduates would be unable to work adequately in the construction industry without additional training, putting enormous strain on construction firms to re-training them to meet their expectations. Tertiary institutions need to revamp their training strategies and methods for students to improve their competency to strive in the construction industry.