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Environmental Impacts and Embodied Energy of Construction Methods and Materials in Low-Income Tropical Housing

Author

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  • Arman Hashemi

    (Centre for Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK)

  • Heather Cruickshank

    (Centre for Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK)

  • Ali Cheshmehzangi

    (The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the current conditions of Ugandan low-income tropical housing with a focus on construction methods and materials in order to identify the key areas for improvement. Literature review, site visits and photographic surveys are carried out to collect relevant information on prevailing construction methods/materials and on their environmental impacts in rural areas. Low quality, high waste, and energy intensive production methods, as well as excessive soil extraction and deforestation, are identified as the main environmental damage of the current construction methods and materials. The embodied energy is highlighted as the key area which should be addressed to reduce the CO 2 emissions of low-income tropical housing. The results indicate that the embodied energy of fired bricks in Uganda is up to 5.7 times more than general clay bricks. Concrete walling is identified as a much more environmentally friendly construction method compared to brick walling in East African countries. Improving fuel efficiency and moulding systems, increasing access to renewable energy sources, raising public awareness, educating local manufacturers and artisans, and gradual long-term introduction of innovative construction methods and materials which are adapted to local needs and conditions are some of the recommended actions to improve the current conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Arman Hashemi & Heather Cruickshank & Ali Cheshmehzangi, 2015. "Environmental Impacts and Embodied Energy of Construction Methods and Materials in Low-Income Tropical Housing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:6:p:7866-7883:d:51372
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cabeza, Luisa F. & Rincón, Lídia & Vilariño, Virginia & Pérez, Gabriel & Castell, Albert, 2014. "Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 394-416.
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    Cited by:

    1. Arman Hashemi, 2016. "Climate Resilient Low-Income Tropical Housing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Mohammad S. M. Almulhim & Dexter V. L. Hunt & Chris D. F. Rogers, 2020. "A Resilience and Environmentally Sustainable Assessment Framework (RESAF) for Domestic Building Materials in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-24, April.
    3. Jinghan Chen & Wen Zhou & Hongtao Yang & Zhuofei Wu, 2021. "“Grouping” or “Ride One’s Coattails”?—How Developing Countries along the Belt and Road Satisfy Themselves," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Jinghan Chen & Wen Zhou & Hongtao Yang, 2019. "Is Embodied Energy a Better Starting Point for Solving Energy Security Issues?—Based on an Overview of Embodied Energy-Related Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Ikenna Stephen Ezennia & Sebnem Onal Hoskara, 2019. "Exploring the Severity of Factors Influencing Sustainable Affordable Housing Choice: Evidence from Abuja, Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-25, October.

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