Building a Sustainable Future: Best Practices for Social Housing Construction in South Africa

This article appreciates the discussion on sustainability of social housing construction in South Africa.

The government of South Africa has committed to facilitating the creation of sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life, it remains unclear in government housing programmes how sustainability will be practically realised in social housing construction practices. The article presents a practical way to incorporate the sustainability principle into the government social housing construction in South Africa.

It is hoped that this will not only foster social and economic equity, but also promote resource efficiency, and enhance climate resilience in one of the high growth sectors in South Africa. The insights and recommendations provided herein are intended for all developers, institutions and organs of state and private sectors that are responsible for social housing construction.

Integrating Sustainability into Public Sector Social Housing Construction in South Africa: Policy and Practice.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) 2018 worldwide Status Report, construction and operations account for 36% of worldwide final energy consumption and roughly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Whereas there has been an effort to minimize these emissions, the 2022 Report discovered that construction energy consumption had surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with the largest single-year spike in ten years.

Through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa operates on a framework to achieve sustainable development. The purpose of the National Framework on Sustainable Development is to enunciate South Africa’s national vision for sustainable development and indicate strategic interventions to re-oriente South Africa’s development path in a more sustainable direction. Many South Africans live in informal settlements or low-income suburbs and utilise private passenger transport. These settlements should integrate residential living with urban agriculture and local food markets to enhance sustainability. Incorporating sustainability principles into government social housing construction in South Africa involves several key strategies that address environmental, social, and economic aspects.

Sustainable real estate development is the activity of designing, building, and managing real estate projects with the goal of minimizing environmental impact while maximizing social and economic advantages (Flores, 2023). This practice of sustainability in construction and real estate combines environmental issues like energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management with economic ones like long-term cost savings and property value resilience, as well as social features like community involvement and health (UN-Habitat, 2019).

Furthermore, sustainable property development aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to build resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible communities (Ibid). By incorporating sustainability concepts into property development, stakeholders can help to mitigate climate change impacts, reduce resource consumption, and improve the quality of life for tenants and neighbouring communities.

Passive Design and Energy Efficiency

In terms of passive design and energy efficiency, (Smit, et al., 2020) provide that passive design strategies significantly reduce energy demand in buildings, making them more sustainable in the long term. Designing energy-efficient buildings and systems can help to minimize greenhouse gas emissions while also cutting operational expenses. Long-term energy usage can be considerably reduced by installing energy-efficient appliances, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Exemplary actions include designing buildings to maximize natural lighting and ventilation to reduce energy consumption. High-performance windows can reduce heat loss and gain in both winter and summer. This feature decreases the need for HVAC systems to maintain a desired temperature. At the same time, huge windows in key locations provide more natural lighting, reducing the need for electric ones.

Buildings can also use renewable energy sources like solar panels, windmills, hydroelectric, and geothermal systems, provided they are available on the land. These many tactics can be used individually or by combining one or more of them to maximize the efficiency of your building projects. In terms of the use of renewable energy source, a study by Peters, et al. (2019) provides that integrating renewable energy technologies in social housing projects was found to enhance sustainability and resilience.

Possible actions include integrating solar panels or other renewable energy technologies to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels create affordable, clean electricity for facilities and return excess to the grid. Heat pump systems provide more efficient heating and cooling than traditional boilers by removing heat from the ground or air.

Water Conservation and Management

According to De Kock, M., et al. (2021), effective water management strategies in social housing projects also contribute significantly to sustainability goals. Water conservation and management entails the inclusion of water-saving fixtures and systems and rainwater harvesting for non-potable water use. Water recycling projects, such as rainwater harvesting and grey-water systems, significantly reduce mains water and sewerage expenditures.

The property managers at Beech Holdings estimate that their sustainable portfolio will save 30-40% on bills. With hundreds of inhabitants, the combined savings are substantial, increasing profit margins. In South Africa, nature-based solutions may be used as water conservation and management measures in social housing projects. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), nature-based solutions address societal challenges through actions to protect, manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time.

They target major challenges like disaster risk reduction, food and water security, and are critical to sustainable development. Human settlements in South Africa continue to grow in resource intensive ways and claim increasingly more water, energy and land resources. Benefits of nature-based solutions are demonstrated across various dimensions including green infrastructure, ecological engineering, and water sensitive planning. Water conservation and management in social housing projects across South Africa can be achieved through regulatory and planning tools such as zoning, policies, and by-laws.

Use of Sustainable Materials in Government Social Housing

The use of sustainable materials must also be included in social housing projects in South Africa. Research by Green et al (2018) highlights the environmental benefits of using sustainable building materials in construction projects. Actions that prioritize locally sourced and recycled materials to reduce carbon footprint and promote local economies, are considered sustainable. Recycled metals, polymers, and wood can be used instead of newly purchased materials to meet construction needs for social housing projects.

Structures that use locally sourced construction materials can also reduce transportation emissions. Using locally sourced, durable materials may further require less care over time. More importantly, getting repair materials as and when required becomes relatively easy. These actions ensure sustainable property development, which considers long-term economic benefits by reducing operational expenses, enhancing property value, and meeting future regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Incorporating the sustainability principle into the government social housing construction in South Africa is imperative for the country climate change efforts. In exploring the concept of sustainability, it becomes clear that this principle is crucial for creating long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and socially equitable housing projects and human settlements.

Sustainable property development is not limited to minimizing environmental impact; it also encompasses the economic viability and social well-being of communities. By incorporating sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient designs, the use of renewable materials, and the integration of green spaces, developers can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of new constructions while enhancing the quality of life for residents.

When applying the principle of sustainability to the government’s social housing construction in South Africa, several critical factors must be considered. Firstly, sustainable social housing should prioritize affordability without compromising on quality or environmental standards. This can be achieved through cost-effective, eco-friendly building materials and innovative construction techniques.

Second, the design of social housing projects should focus on creating inclusive communities with access to essential services, public transportation, and green spaces, thus promoting social cohesion and enhancing residents' quality of life. Incorporating sustainability into property development and social housing construction is not only a moral imperative but also a practical strategy for addressing urban challenges in South Africa.