van Tonder, F and Rwelamila, P D (2024) A comparison of low-cost housing units for varying climatic regions in South Africa: A knowledge management approach. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 13(5), pp. 1310-1329. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: One of the greatest challenges faced by the 1994 post-apartheid government in South Africa is the housing problem that has persisted for almost 30 years into democracy. Innovation in research and practice is required to address this problem. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objective. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents an argument for housing knowledge management as one part of a much larger system of housing provision and critically compares information variations on one hypothetical, low-cost housing unit adapted for varying climatic regions. It aims to enquire if there is an overlap in information. Findings: The findings do confirm a noteworthy overlap in the information of the varying units. Therefore, knowledge management of the information would prove effective and may contribute in part to housing provision. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to assessing the information changes made to the contract documentation of the housing unit. Social implications: The paper argues that knowledge management of this overlapping information could impact housing provision by providing knowledge power to those affected by the housing problem. Originality/value: The findings are a unique perspective presented through a knowledge management lens. In addition, the said knowledge management lens provides a platform to raise additional questions. When seeking answers to these questions, it is expected that research sub-themes would be identified focussing further research studies towards finding answers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | climatic regions; contract documentation; housing problem; knowledge management; knowledge power; outline specifications; South Africa |
| Index terms: | platform, specification, low-cost housing, methodology, variation, South Africa, contract documentation, knowledge management, housing, housing provision |
| Subjects: | construction type, contractual arrangements, professional development, digital design, Geography, contractual condition, research methods, housing and residential development |
| Topics: | Procurement, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Information Management, Contract Administration, Digital Applications, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here