A decent shelter is a basic human need. In developing countries, where
the industrialisation process is accompanied by rapid urbanisation, the
population solves their housing situation within limits of their own
savings. Therefore the majority of people in Tanzania still live in temporary,
sprawling single storey dwellings which generate densification of
houses and exorbitant travel distances. Occasionally settlement citizens
are forced to omit job opportunities due to far and expensive transport.
Not only in the informal settlements but in Dar es Salaam generally,
houses with more than one storey are very rare. The horizontal development
of the city may be a consequence of deficient economical
resources, inappropriate regulatory framework and production techniques.
Vertical extension of houses could be more economic in terms of
infrastructure provision, increase spatial qualities and generate important
outdoor spaces. Created space between buildings will in its turn
optimises cross ventilation and results in a better indoor climate.
The Swahili house is the predominant type of house found in Dar es
Salaam. Its shape and layout are known by heart. Through generations,
the skills of construction, has passed from one to another by practical
participation. The change from rural to urban society now compels
change in practice and building design. For poor families, the process of
constructing a house is a complicated, prolonged and expensive procedure.
Due to high cost of building materials, builders are often forced to
quality compromises. This study will introduce the technique using
semi
‐prefabricated construction elements as an option in affordable two
storey housing. The analysis indicates that the use of these components
could increase execution quality and durability of constructions. Using
block elements, the prefab technique could be introduced, in a small
scale, to self builders and local artisans without the need of governmental
support and large industries.
Presented in this thesis are drawings for a vertically extended Swahili
house type which may help dwellers to build a durable and affordable
two storey construction.
2011.