Innovative building technologies 4.0

This article entitled "Innovative building technologies 4.0: Fast-tracking housing delivery through 3D printing" highlights the pressing housing challenges faced by South Africa, where the housing industry comprises both private and government-subsidised markets. Despite governmental efforts, there remains a substantial backlog of over 2.3 million houses. Additionally, South Africa has been slow in adopting innovative building technologies compared to other nations. The article emphasises the economic significance of utilising innovative building products, which can help alleviate housing shortages, enhance housing quality, and potentially reduce the overall life cycle cost of houses. The declining delivery of government-subsidised homes since 2009 calls for interventions and an exploration of how innovation can be leveraged to accelerate housing delivery.

Furthermore, the construction industry in South Africa has been resistant to technological advancements, resulting in low productivity and a lack of dynamism. Various factors contribute to this reluctance, including limited collaboration between technology suppliers and contractors, knowledge transfer challenges, and misconceptions about technology costs and acceptability. However, the article suggests that the construction industry is well-positioned to enhance its productivity and efficiency by adopting technologies like building information modelling, 3D printing, and augmented reality. It mainly explores the potential of 3D printing technologies in expediting the construction of quality houses in South Africa, offering a possible solution to the housing crisis.

Abstract based directly on source.