STUDY OF RURAL HOUSING IN MAMBA DISTRICT KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA Jenny Mattsson EXAMENSARBETE 2009 BYGGNADSTEKNIK STUDY OF RURAL HOUSING IN MAMBA DISTRICT KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA STUDIE AV BOSTADSBYGGANDE PÅ LANDSBYGDEN I DISTRIKTET MAMBA KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA Jenny Mattsson This thesis project is written at the School of Engineering Jönköping University in the field of building technology. The work is the final part of the three-year programme Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The author is responsible for expressed views, conclusions and results. Supervisor: Bernth Jirvén Credit points: 15 ECTS (C-level) Date: 09-06-02 Arkiveringsnummer: Postadress: Besöksadress: Telefon: Box 1026 Gjuterigatan 5 036-10 10 00 (vx) 551 11 Jönköping Preface Preface This study has been carried out with support from SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the Minor Field Study scholarship. Anita and Reines Rydell made it possible for me to accomplish the study by taking me as their guest. They made my stay in Tanzania a memory for life. Reines has made a great work as my supervisor on site and generously shared his knowledge and experiences. Bernth Jirvén has been my supportive supervisor at School of Engineering, Jönköping University. I would like to thank above mentioned persons for their engagement and participation in this study. Jönköping June 2, 2009 Jenny Mattsson Abstract in Swedish Abstract in Swedish Som ett av de fattigaste länderna i världen står Tanzania inför en ekonomisk problematik som inte minst påverkar bostadssituationen i landet. Bostäderna är undermåliga i hela landet, särskilt på landsbygden, där den största delen av befolkningen bor i lerhus. Rapporten är inriktad på moderna hus och syftar till att hitta hållbara billiga lösningar som ska kunna användas som alternativ till befintliga konstruktionsmetoder och utformningslösningar. Studien baseras på en fältstudie i Mambadistriktet Kilimanjaro i Tanzania under 8 veckor under 2009. De traditionella lerhusen är mycket dåliga och lever inte upp till en god levnadsstandard. Levnadsvillkoren är mycket primitiva i dessa hus och utgör en hälsorisk för de boende. Moderna hus ger en bättre levnadsstandard och är en bra investering för framtida generationer. Utformning och teknik kan effektiviseras och förbättras och byggkostnaderna kan minskas genom alternativa byggnadsmetoder. Byggkostnader kan minskas på flera sätt. Fokus bör ligga på att använda lokala material för att minimera dyra transportkostnader. Betong är det enskilt dyraste byggnadsmaterialet och bör i största möjliga mån ersättas med andra material. Det är dock viktigt att hållbarheten i konstruktionen inte försämras. På lång sikt lönar det sig att investera i hållbara konstruktioner, även om byggkostnaderna blir högre. Denna studie har resulterat i flera hållbara lågkostnadsalternativ, till den nuvarande byggnadstekniken, som lokala husbyggare med fördel kan använda i byggnationer. Traditionen är stark i Tanzania och förändringar kan ta lång tid att genomföra, men de förändringar som föreslås och diskuteras i denna rapport kan ses som en god grund för att inleda en utveckling av den nuvarande byggnadsutformningen och byggnadstekniken i Mambadistriktet. 1 Abstract Abstract As one of the poorest countries in the world, Tanzania faces various kinds of problems. The housing situation is poor in the whole country, especially in rural areas where the main part of the population lives in mud houses. The report is focused on modern houses and is aimed at finding sustainable low cost solutions to be used as alternatives for existing techniques. The report is based on a field study in the Mamba district, Tanzania during 8 weeks in 2009. The traditional mud houses are poor and do not live up to a decent standard of living. The living conditions are extremely primitive in these houses and pose a health risk to the occupants. Modern houses provide a better standard of living and are good investments for future generations. The building design and technology can be rationalised and improved and building costs can be reduced through alternative methods. There are several ways in which building costs can be reduced. Focus should be on using local materials to minimise expensive transport costs. Cement is the single most expensive building material and should be replaced by other materials where possible. However, it is important that sustainability of the construction is not impaired. In the long term, it is better to invest in proper sustainable building structures even if the costs will increase. This study has resulted in sustainable low cost alternatives to the current building technology that the local builders can benefit from. Tradition is strong in Tanzania and changes may take long to implement. The alterations suggested and discussed in this report can be considered as a good basis for development of the current building design and technology in the Mamba district. Key Words Building Design, Building Material, Building Technology, Low Cost Solutions, The Mamba district, Modern Housing, Sustainable Solutions, Tanzania, Traditional Housing. 2 Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................ 5 1.1 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................5 1.2 AIM OF THE REPORT...............................................................................................................5 1.3 LIMITATIONS..........................................................................................................................6 1.4 OUTLINE ................................................................................................................................6 1.5 METHODS...............................................................................................................................6 1.5.1 Observations and Interviews ............................................................................................6 1.5.2 Literature and Other Sources of Information ...................................................................7 2 An Overview of Tanzania ...................................................... 8 2.1 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE....................................................................................................8 2.2 PEOPLE AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS..........................................................................................9 2.3 POLITICS AND ECONOMICS.....................................................................................................9 3 Mamba District and the Chagga People .......................... 11 4 Today's Architecture and Technology............................... 12 4.1 HOUSING SITUATION IN TANZANIA ......................................................................................12 4.1.1 Urban and Rural Areas ..................................................................................................12 4.1.2 Geographical Variations ................................................................................................13 4.1.3 Legislation ......................................................................................................................13 4.1.4 Building Institutions........................................................................................................13 4.2 TRADITIONAL MUD HOUSES IN THE MAMBA DISTRICT........................................................14 4.2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................14 4.2.2 The Beehive Formed House............................................................................................14 4.2.3 Mud Houses of Today .....................................................................................................15 4.2.4 A Poor Way of Living .....................................................................................................16 4.3 MODERN HOUSES IN THE MAMBA DISTRICT ........................................................................17 4.3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................17 4.3.2 Settlements......................................................................................................................17 4.3.3 Comparison to Traditional Houses.................................................................................17 4.3.4 Main Building.................................................................................................................18 4.3.5 Additional Buildings .......................................................................................................22 4.3.6 Economical Aspects........................................................................................................23 5 Houses for the Future ........................................................... 24 5.1 THE IMPACT OF TRADITIONS ................................................................................................24 5.2 ALTERNATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS...................................................................................24 5.2.1 Plan Arrangements .........................................................................................................25 5.2.2 Local Materials...............................................................................................................25