African Sustainable House
Overview
The INEP institute Oldenburg gGmbH developed under the direction of Prof. Dr. Bernd Heins a sustainable, low cost housing concept offering development countries and the poorer population in more industrialized countries to construct houses and villages themselves in an energy efficient manner. The African Sustainable House (ASH) is worldwide the first low cost house that was classified "Class C" as a climate house.
About the Project "African Sustainable House"
The ASH is designed to offer appropriate living conditions to those who live in poorer regions. Especially in the suburbs of metropolises, informal settlements have developed. The inhabitants live in scanty built homes, constructed with what they could find. Those buildings often have no isolation at all and fail to prevent wind and dust blowing inside. There is also no public main supply. In those cases where there is such an infrastructure available, most citizens cannot afford to make use of it. Most people use biomass and wood instead to cook and heat. This often leads to chronicle respiratory problems. Through the lack of water supply and sewage disposal, sanitary conditions are inhumane.[1]
Goals of African Sustainable House
- Human-ecological/intercultural dialogue
- Gender specific, sanitary demands
- Health promotion: respiratory problems, AIDS
- Low demand of energy
- Supports education and training possibilities
- Measures to help people gain employment
- Low costs
Further Information
