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South Africa’s economy, but it needs focused attention to ensure continued growth and success. However, research on innovation in South Africa’s informal construction sector is limited.
This study investigates the nature of and barriers to innovation in the informal construction sector as well as the interactions important for innovation, in Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In this way, the paper aims to contribute to the growing literature on innovation in the informal construction sector in Africa and attempts to draw out recommendations for supporting innovation in informal construction as a key contributor to affordable housing in resource-constrained local areas.
The paper is organised as follows: the next section situates the study in the broad context of the literature on informal construction, with a focus on research on innovation; Section Three describes the methodology, including the conceptual framework, sample and methods; Section Four discusses the findings; and lastly, Section Five discusses the findings and concludes the paper.
Informal construction in africa: Significance, Challenges and Innovation
The informal construction sector plays a critical role in providing employment opportunities in developing countries, and is projected to expand due to rapid urbanisation, among other factors (Alene 2022; Fourie 2018; Mselle and Sanga 2017; Fapohunda 2012; Madlener and Sunak 2011; Jewell et al. 2005;). However, informal construction businesses often face limitations in terms of skills, resources, and formalisation (Wetlesen 2010). Informal builders often lack access to formal training programmes in construction techniques, building codes and safety protocols (Agbenyegah and Mothlale 2019; Wells 2007). This can lead to improper construction methods resulting in weak structures prone to cracking, leaking or even collapsing (Govender et al. 2011).
Informal builders have limited access to financing for projects (Chitengi 2018), hindering their ability to construct larger, more substantial structures or expand their operations. Informal settlements built by informal builders often bypass the formal permitting process (Sheppard et al. 2020). A challenge in informal settlements is also lack of access to essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation (Munyai 2023; Marutlulle 2021; Parikh et al. 2020).
Despite these limitations, the informal construction sector demonstrates remarkable resilience and innovation (Chmutina et al. 2018). There is a growing body of research on innovation in the informal construction sector
in Africa, and the informal construction sector, more broadly (Babalola and Harinarain 2024; Eliufoo et al. (n.d.); Mselle et al. 2023; Coffie and Aigbavboa 2020; Nor and Masron 2019; Mselle and Sanga, 2017; Wambugu, 2013). Informal builders are known for their adaptability and innovative solutions (Eliufoo 2020; Kühne et al. 2019; Kemwita 2019). Eliufoo et al. (n.d.) investigated how effectively informal construction workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, learn about building material specifications and how this impacts their adherence to those specifications. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study found that while informal construction workers are widely used in both formal and informal construction sectors, their continued employment may indicate either effective informal training or a compromise on quality due to cost considerations.
The informal construction sector can quickly respond to the surge in housing needs in rapidly urbanising areas (King et al. 2017; Berner 2001). Local builders and artisans utilise their skills and knowledge to develop affordable and, in some cases, sustainable housing solutions (Mselle and Sanga 2017). Informal construction focuses on functional, basic housing units with minimalist designs to keep costs down (Visagie and Turok 2020). Innovation, related to exploring the use of cost-effective materials that can improve structural integrity as well as establishing platforms for knowledge sharing and collaborations among informal builders, can play an important role in addressing concerns about the quality of houses built by the informal construction sector (Hedidor and Bondinuba 2017; Venter et al. 2019). The designs typically incorporate prefabricated elements, modular construction approaches, and user-friendly building techniques (Njoroge 2017).
Discarded plastic bottles, tyres, or even metal scraps can be incorporated into construction in innovative ways, reducing waste and creating cost-effective solutions (Akintayo and Idowu 2022). The innovative capacity aligns with the definition of innovation as “a new or improved product or process” that enhances quality, reduces costs, and promotes sustainable development (CeSTII 2021; Akunyumu et al. 2020).
Materials and methods
Local Innovation and Production Systems
The study employed a local innovation and production systems (LIPS) framework (Figure 1), focusing on how production and innovation occur at the local level, particularly in developing countries (Podcameni et al. 2019). It highlights how factors like local interactions, knowledge exchange and adaptations to local conditions, drive innovation within specific geographic areas (Gallaud and Torre 2005).
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