The construction sector has witnessed a boom in most emerging economies in the last few years. The use of modern building materials like cement, concrete, steel etc has been growing at a fast pace. It has penetrated into rural areas and has displaced traditional building materials and technologies. Mindless use of building materials like cement, concrete etc is not only costly for rural people but is also environmentally unsustainable. It is not even advisable in most cases as indigenously built houses are climatically more suitable. The right path lies somewhere in the middle. It encompasses making best use of local building material and knowledge complemented by modern technology.
We want to explore the potential that use of local building technologies holds. It can create market for easily available local materials. Indigenous building knowledge can be commercialized creating employment opportunities.
Model villages with their traditional architecture can be promoted as tourist destinations thereby generating further employment. The role of government institutions in promoting these technologies and giving financial support is needed before entrepreneurs can step in to create such successful business models.
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