1. INTEGRATING EARTHEN BUILDING MATERIALS AND METHODS INTO MAINSTREAM CONSTRUCTION
- Author
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Vivian Loftness, Lola Ben-Alon, Kent A. Harries, Michael Bridges, and Erica Cochran Hameen
- Subjects
Engineering ,Architectural engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,business.industry ,Geography, Planning and Development ,0211 other engineering and technologies ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,02 engineering and technology ,Building and Construction ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,01 natural sciences ,Architecture ,Mainstream ,021108 energy ,business ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,General Environmental Science ,Civil and Structural Engineering ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
Earthen Building Materials and Methods (EBMM) exhibit excellent environmental, health, indoor air quality and affordability benefits. Despite these advantages, EBMM are not yet broadly implemented in mainstream construction. The main barriers and gaps to implementing earthen construction are analyzed through 126 survey responses and 10 in-depth interviews of a range of experts and end-users, and possible solutions to overcoming these barriers are presented. Specifically, the research indicates that according to earthen construction experts and potential homeowners, inability or difficulty in obtaining building permits is the strongest barrier to implementation. Additionally, existing technical data and environmental assessments must be synthesized and enumerated in order to support decision makers in advancing earthen building policy.
- Published
- 2020
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