Research In Building And Building Materials In Kenya

Abstract

Research and development in the building materials and construction industry is an essential component of human settlements development at the,loc~l and national levels in both developing and developed countries. The development of an indigenous ~uilding mater~als and cenatruction industry is still an untapped resource especially in developing countries, where genuinely 'local firms small or large,are often in need of assistance. Similarly the necessary supportive research in building and building materials in these countries is inadequate and does not provide sufficient input for the purposes of tpe development of this 'important industry in developing countries. ' , .02. ,Kenya 'is one such developing country in Africa where building and construction is one of the major sector's of the economy. Its share of the total Gross Dome,~tic·ProQuct (GDP) in 1976 was 6% and its contribution to capital formation was 4~. The current five year National Development Plan (1979-83) outlines the plan objectives regarding this sector including the roles of the various public and private agencies both in terms of the ,development of the building industry and the research and development regarding building materials. These are further discussed in the following sections of this paper • •03. Section 2.00 of the paper'presents an overview scenario of the current status of research in building and building materials in Kenya. This scenario lists 'existing institutions: availability ~f indigenous research personnel and training facilities: sources of fund~i laboratory and field equipment: collection and dissemination of information: and existing arrangements for semi-commercial trials and commercial development • •04. priority areas for further and neW research in the shortand long-term are stated in Section 3.00 of the paper. Existing and planned co-operation programmes in joint research projects are considered and presented in Section 4.00. While the last Section 5.00 of the paper bxiefly indicates the role of related national and international agencies regarding building and building materials research. - 2 - .05. This country paper has been prepared by Mr. T. S. Chana, Director of the Housing and Development Unit, University of Nairobi, in collaboration with ,'tJlr?.. E. Kanyqe,. Senior Superintending Ar-crtt tect of the Ministry of Works and Mr. G. Kariuki, Housing Planner of the Ministry of Housing and Social Services.