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This page shares insights and observations from Inform2Build’s field visits across informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through conversations with residents, community leaders, builders, and local organizations, the project documents everyday construction practices, materials, and the challenges people face when building and improving their homes.
Here you will find short reflections, photos, and key lessons emerging from our fieldwork. Each entry highlights local knowledge, practical solutions, and community perspectives that shape housing in informal settlements.
These field notes offer a window into the realities on the ground and complement the stories and updates we share on LinkedIn. For deeper context and reflections, follow the links in each post to read more.
Community-Led Housing for Women Living with HIV in Uganda
During a field visit in Kampala, the Inform2Build team met with the organization SSA - Shelter and Settlements Alternative - to examine their community-based housing initiative supporting women living with HIV in an informal settlement in Uganda. The project provides secure housing for 24 women identified as highly vulnerable due to the combined effects of poverty, health-related stigma, and limited access to formal housing markets.
The initiative is structured around a housing cooperative model designed to strengthen collective ownership while ensuring long-term affordability. Participating women organized themselves into a cooperative to address the discrimination and economic exclusion they face due to their HIV status. Access to the housing program requires each member to demonstrate commitment through three main contributions: (1) savings toward an initial down payment, (2) participation in the construction process through sweat equity, and (3) the payment of a modest monthly fee to service the housing loan. Under this arrangement, property titles will gradually be transferred to cooperative members over a period of approximately 20–25 years, allowing residents to progressively build formal ownership while maintaining affordability.
The housing units are constructed using interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSBs), a building technology developed at Makerere University in Kampala. These blocks are produced from a mixture of locally available soil, sand, cement, and water, and are compressed using a manual press. Their interlocking design significantly reduces the need for mortar compared to conventional masonry systems, lowering construction costs and material consumption while maintaining structural stability.
Although ISSB technology was initially developed for rainwater harvesting systems, SSA adapted the method for housing construction. A key component of the project is the local production of building materials, with community members producing the blocks on-site using a manual press. This approach reduces transportation costs, supports local skill development, and increases community participation in the building process.
Initial implementation faced skepticism among community members, particularly regarding the durability and safety of the construction system. Through demonstration houses and hands-on participation in the building process, SSA was able to gradually build trust and acceptance of the technology.
To date, 24 housing units have been completed, providing stable housing to cooperative members. Additional funding is currently being sought to construct the remaining 10 units planned for the settlement, which would complete the cooperative housing cluster.
Beyond the physical housing provision, the project illustrates how community organization, incremental finance mechanisms, and locally appropriate construction technologies can work together to address housing insecurity among marginalized urban populations.
Traditional Limestone-Based Masonry in Zanzibar
During fieldwork in Zanzibar, the Inform2Build team encountered a masonry wall whose material composition was not immediately identifiable. Through the support of Mohamed Ali from the Zanzibar Research Centre for Socio-Economic and Policy Analysis (ZRCP), the team visited a community located near the island’s airport and spoke with a local community leader about the construction techniques used in the settlement. According to residents, many of the houses built using this method have remained in use for nearly a century.
The walls are constructed using a traditional stone-and-sand masonry system comparable to techniques observed in coastal settlements such as Mombasa. The structural walls consist of locally sourced stones bound together with a mortar produced within the community. This mortar is composed of local sand mixed with choka, a powder derived from naturally occurring limestone deposits found across the island.
Material composition varies geographically across Zanzibar due to differences in locally available sand. In the southeastern areas of the island, where the sand is predominantly white, walls tend to have a lighter finish. In contrast, houses located closer to Stone Town often exhibit darker tones, reflecting the greyish color of sand found in that region. These subtle variations illustrate how local geological conditions influence the appearance and composition of vernacular architecture.
Limestone, a sedimentary rock formed through the accumulation of marine organisms’ skeletal fragments or through the precipitation of calcium carbonate from mineral-rich water, plays a central role in this construction system. In contemporary construction industries, limestone is widely known as the primary raw material used in cement production. In the case of this vernacular technique, however, limestone is processed locally into choka and incorporated directly into the mortar mixture, demonstrating an alternative pathway for the use of mineral resources in low-cost construction.
Because these masonry walls are typically left unprotected by external coatings or modern sealants, maintenance is continuous but relatively simple. Residents periodically repair or renew the mortar, allowing structures to remain functional over long periods while preserving the original construction method. This incremental maintenance practice reflects a broader pattern in vernacular building traditions, where durability is achieved through regular care rather than complete replacement.
The longevity of these houses—some approaching a century of use—demonstrates the resilience of locally adapted construction techniques. The system relies on locally available materials, community knowledge, and accumulated building experience, highlighting how traditional construction practices remain relevant for sustainable housing solutions. For Inform2Build, such examples illustrate the importance of documenting and learning from locally embedded knowledge systems that connect building practices to environmental conditions and community life.
Hybrid Housing Practices Along the C40, Namibia
During fieldwork along the C40 highway in Namibia, the Inform2Build team encountered a residential structure that stood out for its combination of materials and spatial organisation. Located in a remote area approximately 20 km from the nearest small town, the house accommodates 14 family members and was designed and constructed by the household itself. Through a conversation with one of the residents, the team was able to document construction techniques and material compositions that reflect locally embedded knowledge and adaptive building practices.
The structure is built using a hybrid system that combines earthen construction with industrial materials. The primary walls are made from a mud mixture, while corrugated steel sheets are used for roofing and parts of the façade. This combination allows for flexibility in construction, making use of both locally available natural resources and accessible manufactured components. The integration of these materials demonstrates a pragmatic approach to building in remote settings, where availability, cost, and ease of assembly play a significant role in design decisions.
According to the resident, the mud used in wall construction follows a specific formulation: two 20-litre buckets of cow dung are mixed with one bucket of sand, which is sourced from a nearby riverbed. Cow dung acts as a natural stabiliser, improving the binding properties and workability of the mixture. This technique reflects a detailed understanding of material performance, developed through practice and adapted to local conditions.
The spatial configuration of the house is equally deliberate. Openings are carefully positioned to facilitate air movement across interior spaces, and a central open common area functions as the organisational core of the dwelling. This layout supports both environmental responsiveness and social interaction, accommodating the needs of a large household while maintaining functional circulation and shared living space.
Construction processes are structured around clearly defined roles within the household. Men are responsible for assembling the structural components, while women carry out the plastering of the walls. Both contribute to the preparation of the mud mixture. This division of labour reflects how technical knowledge is distributed within the community and embedded in everyday practices, enabling construction to take place without external support.
Material performance and user experience were also discussed during the visit. Residents noted that while mud construction provides a generally comfortable indoor environment, it may not be suitable for all occupants, as individuals with asthma can experience discomfort. This highlights the importance of considering health implications alongside material efficiency when assessing vernacular construction systems.
The use of mixed materials also requires ongoing adaptation. The interface between earthen walls and corrugated steel elements demands careful handling to ensure durability over time. Maintenance practices are therefore continuous but manageable, with repairs carried out incrementally using the same locally available materials. This approach allows the structure to remain functional without the need for large-scale interventions or external resources.
Despite its remote location and limited access to formal infrastructure, the house demonstrates a high level of resourcefulness and construction intelligence. By combining locally sourced materials with accessible industrial products, the household has created a dwelling that responds to both environmental conditions and social needs. The collective nature of the construction process further reinforces the role of shared knowledge and cooperation in shaping the built environment.
In the context of climate change, such hybrid construction practices are increasingly relevant. They illustrate how communities adapt building techniques to shifting environmental conditions while maintaining reliance on local resources and knowledge systems. Rather than depending entirely on standardised construction models, these approaches offer alternative pathways that are grounded in context and experience.
For Inform2Build, this case underscores the importance of documenting hybrid construction systems that emerge from everyday practice. It highlights how material combinations, spatial organisation, and community collaboration contribute to housing solutions that are both practical and adaptable. Understanding these dynamics is essential for informing future strategies that aim to support locally driven, resilient, and sustainable housing development.
