Agarwal, A. (2001). Common property institutions and sustainable governance of resources. World Development. 29(10). 1649-1672.

The article evaluates the studies that specify the conditions under which common property institutions may self organise sustainably govern resources. Using three comprehensive studies as example, the author argues that statistical, comparative and case study approaches to studying commons are superior to that of the procedure of generating lists of factors facilitating their governed sustainability. The author thus concludes that empirically-relevant theory of commons cannot be based on a single case analysis and warrants a more statistical and comparative approach together with careful research design and sample selection.

Beyers, C. (2000). The energy efficient option- IIECs sustainable homes initiative. Strategies for a Sustainable Built Environment.

This paper claims how the Sustainable Homes Initiative, one of IIEC-Africas housing projects, has improved the quality of life of less fortunate communities across South Africa. The author praises the Green Professional Scheme for providing professional intervention to communities otherwise unable to afford them and build sustainable green houses at ultra low cost. Sowetos first eco house and improving Alexandras energy efficiency exemplify the initiatives remarkable success.

Bruelisauer, M. (2007). Sustainable construction in South Africa Theoretical and practical analysis of sustainable infrastructures in the case study of the Hawequas Straw Bale Accommodation. The researche of this paper examines the concept of sustainable construction before the South African background and compares it to the European understanding. The theoretical analysis is backed by practical implementatin Du Plessis, C. (2005). Action for sustainability: preparing an African plan for sustainable building and construction. Building Research & Information. 33(5). 405-415.

Emphasizes the need of creating an international agenda for sustainable building to acknowledge the differences in approach and priorities of developed and developing nations. The author infers that developing a regional action plans based on discussions at SB04 Africa and identifying the key issue of establishing solid knowledge foundation for the region are the answers to sustainable building and construction for Africa. Equipping public, professionals, development agencies and government with accurate and relevant local knowledge shall help in establishing a sustainable build environment.

Du Plessis, C. (2001). Sustainability and sustainable construction: the African context. Building Research & Information. 29(5). 374-380.

The author stresses upon a different approach to sustainable construction in Africa from that of the west, due to poverty, resource scarcity and rapid urbanization. Author suggests that focus should be on sustainable urban growth consistent with African culture, which can be achieved through inclusion of the values and worldview of traditional Africa in the definition and principles of sustainability. The article defines three principles of 1)

Stewardship, 2) Social Responsibility and 3) Sufficiency that are Africas contribution to sustainability.

Ebohon, O. J., & Rwelamila, P. M. D. (2001). Sustainable construction in sub-Saharan Africa: relevance, rhetoric, and the reality. Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction in Developing Countries.

Discusses significance of the construction sector to the environmental sustainability and its relevance, practices and ground realities in the sub-Saharan Africa. The paper defines environment sustainability explores the link between construction industry and physical environment. Various approaches to sustainable construction together with the policies and strategies that exist are brought to light to highlight the challenges of sustainable construction. Scenario of the construction in sub-Saharan region of Africa and the ground realities in sustainable construction in are discussed and lack of proper institutions to enforce the policies of environmental sustainability is pointed out. The paper concludes that with the absence of such institutions to facilitate appropriate policies sustainable construction in sub-Saharan Africa shall remain unrealistic and rhetorical.

Gaugris, J.Y., & Rooyen, M.W. (2009). Evaluating patterns of wood use for building construction in Maputaland, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 39(1). 85-96.

The article processes data from a questionnaire conducted at community of Manqakulane, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to evaluate the use of wood for house building. The article discovers the change in house building design, with rectangular houses made of wood now being largest in numbers, replacing the earlier round huts with thatched roof. The wall

panels were the most wood-consuming part of a house. 40-50 % of wood used in construction was obtained from species with sustainable harvesting potential. However, the preference of Brachylaena huillensis as main posts is a cause for concern as the current population of this species cannot sustain such high levels of harvesting.

Jongeling, R., Klunne, W., Maathuis, S., & Suurenbroek, Y. Low cost energy efficient housing by South African housing associations.

The paper investigates whether housing associations in South Africa can provide the solution to high demand of houses created post the apartheid era. The authors argue that energy efficient low cost housing is an integral part of sustainable development and belive housing associations is the best way forward. Although a relatively new concept for South Africa, housing associations can provide the public with such low cost energy efficient houses but external input is needed to overcome capacity and financial constraints.

Lopes, J., Ribeiro, F. L., & Ruddock, L. (2002). Investment in construction and economic growth in developing countries. Building Research & Information. 30(3), 152159

A very detailed and statistical approach towards finding a correlation between investment in construction and GDP per capita is undertaken in this article. The authors put forth an hypothesis that there exists a minimum level of investment in construction in developing countries (measured in terms of construction value added [CVA] as a percentage of GDP) of about 4-5 % below which a relative decrease in construction volume corresponds

directly to a decreasing growth in GDP per capita. The paper thus highlights the role of construction in economic development and sustainable growth.

Malanca, M. (2010). Conference on promoting green building rating in Africa.

The purpose of this paper was to set forth key issues related to green rating highlighting how institutions can adapt it to the African context. The author informs about Green Building ratings which are awarded by green building councils, non-profit organisations seeking to transform building industries towards sustainability by adoption of green building practices. The article also learns the market size of building industry in various countries of Africa is relatively small and concludes that this acts as both an opportunity and hurdlefor GBC. The article explores how GBC ratings can influence the low cost housing and low-cost materials.

Mehta, R., Bridwell, L. (2005). Innovative construction technology for affordable mass housing in Tanzania, East Africa. Construction Management and Economics. 23. 69-79.

The article discusses the various new technologies being implemented to produce affordable housing for the developing countries. The authors take the case of Tanzania and studies the trends and practices in technology that prevail in the low cost housing industry complete with a historical overview. The Terra Block Fabricator gets special mention for its use of local soil and labour to produce high quality bricks. The article also lists all factors that exist in Tanzanias housing and urban development. Using environmental

friendly technology scores high on the authors list for energizing local sustainable growth too.

Ndinda, C. (2007). Womens participation in housing delivery: the case of Ezilweleni, South Africa. Development Southern Africa. 24(5).

Discusses research findings from Ezilweleni, a community in KwaZulu-Natal. Womens involvement of interest as womens involvement has always been low in housing development in South Africa. The findings indicate that women influenced decisions about the level of infrastructural services in Ezilweleni, but to the extent of . It was also noted by the author that there exists a tendency among women in Ezilweleni to revert to their gender perceived roles even after receiving training in fields that are dominated by men. This points to the problem of gender inequality still existing despite theretical recognition of equality of sexes.

Ross, N. Bowen, & P.A. Lincoln, D. (2010). Sustainable housing for low-income communities: lessons for South Africa in local and other developing world cases. Construction Management and Economics. 28. 433449.

The article assesses nine sustainable housing projects in developing countries to derive best practices for construction of sustainable low cost houses. The most popular sustainability criterion was minimization of materials, whilst the reuse of materials was the least preferred. Many other sustainable practices like including energy- and water-efficient systems, reusing old buildings, preservation of natural vegetation, and the provision of

settlements that are dense and well located were all found to be viable. Barriers to the implementation of sustainable practices were identified as low levels of user support, initial high costs of certain sustainable measures and political factors. Shelbourne, M.A., Bouchlaghem, M.D, Anumba, C.J., Carillo, P.M., Khalfan, M.M.K., & Glass, J. (2006). Managing knowledge in the context of sustainable construction. Retrieved from http://itcon.org/2006/4/.

The article focuses on the need for knowledge creation within a sustainability context. The authors are of the view that the concept of knowledge management evolved from innovative project management and IT support is still in its infancy and rarely practice in construction sector. The article thus seeks to promote knowledge creation and management for construction industry through describing the creation of tools that enable its development organisation.

Wekwete, K. H. & Sesay, S. M. (2001). Legislative challenges for sustainable urban development in Sub-Saharan Africa. UN Chronicle. 2.

Outlines the challenges in urban development that policy makers face today in Africa arising out of rapid urbanization without meaningful industrialization of economies. The article informs about the global adoption of Habitat Agenda in 1996 to meet the challenges faced. The measures include 1) promote sustainable human settlements in urbanizing world, 2)need of appropriate legislation at local levels for managing the utilization of land and built environment, and 3) synchronizing local and national needs to ensure nondistortionary policy environment. The author is of the opinion that there needs to be a synergy between state and civil society for sustainable growth of urban Africa.

Zawdie, G. & Langford, D.A. (2002). Influence of construction-based infrastructure on the development process in Sub-Saharan Africa. Building Research & Information. 30(03). 160170.

The paper examines the infrastructure system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and focuses on the problems persisting against the development of a sustainable infrastructure in the region. The authors believe that persistent poverty acts as much as the cause as the consequence of lack of sustainable infrastructure. The author makes recommendation to policy makers and specifies strategies for capacity building construction engineering. The author is also of the opinion that infrastructure development should be at par with manufacturing on priority of sustainable growth as the latter cannot thrive in environment with infrastructural shortcomings.