ASPECTS OF MATERIALS AND METHODS DEPLOYED IN LOW INCOME SELF – HELP HOUSING: THE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS AND PROPOSED REMEDIATION
Arc. Joseph O. Oko & Arc. James I. Demenongu
Department of Architecture,
University of Jos, Jos.
Email: agaba30 @ yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
As a result of the necessity and quest to have own shelter emanating mainly from the ever rising accommodation rent cost, there has been a great thrust by poor urban dwellers, low and middle income earners to move to the urban fringes and start their shelter – somehow. The paucity of funds engenders the practice of cutting expenditure to the extent and effect that several building materials and methods employed are unconventional, deleterious and detrimental to the health, safety and security of such owners and users. This study investigated the extent and depth of this practice in a selected area (Gamajigo community) an urban fringe of the city of Jos, in North Central Nigeria with a view to proffering solution to the anomalous materials and methods. The methodology employed involved first of all identifying buildings that were in active construction process, investigating the methods and materials applied in their construction. Thereafter, knowledge of Architectural theory and practice was applied to propose better and more wholesome materials and methods. The findings were that the use of several cost saving measures (materials and methods) which had detrimental consequences were very pervasive. The study also found that in as much as cost saving measures were desirable to attain a low cost, low budget housing, there were some incontrovertible fundamental costs that building owners should not run away from bearing. The study therefore proffered better ways of attaining cost saving measures that would not jeopardizing health, safety and security of the owners or occupants. This study was significant and contributed to knowledge in that by adhering to the provisions and suggestions of this study, low cost housing could be attained by the urban low and middle income earners through self – help methods without jeopardizing health, safety and security of the owners of such dwellings. The study also has the promise of enhancing the durability of such structures coupled with the additional benefit of maintaining minimal expenditure for housing procurement.
Keywords: Building Materials / Methods, Deleterious Effects, Low Cost Housing, low/Middle income earners Income Earners, Self – Help Housing, Urban Poor.