Circular building with raw earth


Developing earthen building solutions for reversible applications in contemporary sustainable architecture
Erik Pelicaen
supervisor prof. dr. Elke Knapenco-supervisor dr. Bart JanssensSustainability Research Team, 2020-2024
abstract
With the present awareness about climate change and other environmental issues, raw earth has regained interest in modern architecture as a low-impact, widely available and highly recyclable building material. Meanwhile, demands to implement circular design strategies in the construction sector are increasing. However, little is known and experienced about the implementation of raw earth in circular building design. Also, architects will need guidance on how to effectively and efficiently use this material in a circular built environment. Therefore, the aim is to investigate the circularity of earthen architecture and to explore its potential regarding Design for Change principles. The objective is to identify the challenges and opportunities of raw earth in circular building design and to develop illustrative earthen building solutions for reversible applications in contemporary architecture. The output may lead to the development of design support for architects and contractors towards building with raw earth in a circular context. Can one of the oldest building materials on the planet become a building material for the future?

A comparative analysis of energy performance in green and non-green office buildings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania


Saul Samwel Nkini
supervisor prof. dr. Griet Verbeeck co-supervisor dr. Bart JanssensSustainability Research Team, 2017-2020
The aim of this study is to assess the performance of office buildings with and without sustainability label in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2 green & 15 non-green office buildings) in terms of their ability to provide indoor climate that result in higher satisfaction of the occupants with reasonable energy consumption. To achieve this, 2 green and 15 non-green office buildings are compared for energy consumption, indoor climate and satisfaction level with the indoor environment through measurements and surveys. Also the relationship between issues of measured indoor climate, occupant satisfaction, energy consumption levels and building design are investigated;Finally it is the aim to identify aspects of sustainability label and building design where changes in building performance improvement related to occupant satisfaction, indoor climate, energy use is not as expected and to make an updated recommendation for progressive improvements.

Encouraging (future) house owners to use regenerative building materials


Naomi Neelen
supervisor prof. dr. Elke Knapen,co-supervisor prof. dr. Griet VerbeeckSustainability Research Team, 2020-2024

Flood Resilient Urban Parks


Le To Quyen


supervisor prof. dr. Oswald Devischco-supervisor prof. dr. Trinh Tu Anh, dr. Els Hannes Spatial Capacity Building Research Team 2017-2021
Coastal cities are increasingly suffering from flooding events. At the same time, these cities are experiencing a process of rapid urbanization. This PhD introduces ‘flood-resilient urban parks’ as a strategy to address both challenges. It develops a conceptual framework and an approach to introduce this concept within design education and test both in a case study in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Livelihoods through Informal Urban Developments

A Case of Shekilango Commercial Corridor, Sinza - Dar es Salaam (TZ)
Richard Besha


supervisor prof. dr. Liesbeth Huybrechts co-supervisor prof. dr. Oswald DevischSpatial Capacity Building Research Team, datum
abstract
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the main residential corridors trigger informal developments by inhabitants that take place through conversion, extension or demolition and erection of new commercial structures. The subject of study that this PhD discusses is the introduction of commercial spaces, which makes way for new businesses that offer employment on the one hand but also foster social and informal economic activities on the other. It looks particularly at the activities that are developed in informal ways in the street, not through formal planning procedures, but through activities that inhabitants develop together in their daily operations. The commercial street is seen then as a manifestation of intuitive knowledge employed by actors in the creation of space. It is also seen as a product of tacit knowledge informally employed to produce desired results on the street level. To reveal these informal design processes, this study employs a design anthropological approach in studying how people who live and work in the city create the streets’ everyday activities. This study is also an inquiry into how these informal design processes can inform formal design processes that can lead to the enhancement of livelihoods in commercial streets in Tanzania. It thus discusses the relevance of bottom-top design approaches that reflect context-sensitive results. Because the bottom-top design approaches are under-analyzed within the context of Tanzania, they render the emerging corridors in the city of Dar es Salaam marginalized. The study has revealed that there are informal design processes employed by various actors, in diverse socio-economic networks in a commercial street environment that hold potentials and challenges for the street’s and neighborhood’s livelihood. It dives into how the interaction of these studied aspects contributes towards livelihood of the street so that it can be a resource for practitioners, policy makers, authorities and other actors in creating functional urban corridors thereby complementing the top-bottom approach.

Nexus Between Indigeneous Dwelling Practices and Ecotourism

The Case of Pastoral Maasai Communities along National Parks
 Godfrey Ayubu


promotor prof. dr. Koenraad Van Cleempoelco-supervisor dr. Bart JanssensAdaptive Reuse Research Team, 2017-2021
abstract
Ngorongorro Conservation Area is a World Heritage Site under Natural and Cultural merits and therefore, it is also characterized by multiple land use. The pastoral Maasai have been coexisting with the wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation area for centuries. The built infrastructure in Ngorongoro Conservation Area is undergoing gradual transformation hence threatening the integrity of both the cultural and the natural landscapes. Besides, it is barely understood how the social, economic, political, and environmental dynamics taking place within, or in the areas surrounding such communities are transforming the Maasai’s indigenous construction knowledge. This research is an attempt to expand and engage in the ongoing discourses about inclusive conservation through a transdisciplinary approach of architecture, anthropology and ecotourism. The research sheds some light on how to engage all stakeholders in the preservation of cultural and natural heritage for sustainable tourism development.
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Socio-economic Impacts of Renewable Solar Mini-grids for rural Communities in Tanzania - Analysis and Policy Improvement


Oliva Gonda
supervisor prof. dr. Griet Verbeeck co-supervisors prof. dr. Sarah Phoya and prof. dr. Wim DefermeSustainability Research Team, 2020-2024
Mini-grids refers to autonomous electricity generation from renewable sources such as water and agricultural by-products which are unconnected to the main grid. They are in between the smaller home-based systems and main grid systems whereby they can support a wider range of productive enterprises. Mini-grids are either from renewable sources or from fossil fuel sources or a hybrid system that combines two different sources. Renewable mini-grid electrification projects are either socially oriented or have a commercial objective that reflects different levels of expectations. It is argued that the kind of rural electrification solutions taped from locally available renewable resources can deliver a wide range of electricity services ranging from basic energy access to economic energy access.Recently, mini-grid electrification has gained popularity in adoption in the rural areas of developing countries including Tanzania. Its flexibility, technical suitability, simplicity and diversified options have been cited to be the major reasons for the speedy adoption of the technology. The number of mini-grids in Tanzania has doubled from the year 2008 to 2016 whereby a total of 109 registered mini-grids are in operation countrywide. Furthermore, studies indicate that currently in Tanzania, the rural population with access to electricity is about 70% compared to 21% in 2016/17 while household connected to electricity has increased from 17% in 2016 to 25% in the year 2020. Despite the increasing number of mini-grids and increasing electricity access, there are variances, weak evidence and unreliable information regarding the socio-economic impacts of renewable mini-grid electrification installed in rural communities. Therefore, this study aims at providing a holistic and comprehensive analysis of the impacts of renewable mini-grid electrification focusing on the socio-economic aspect of rural electrification through mini-grids. Analysis of electricity consumption of individuals and unit cost of electricity from the mini-grids will be determined to establish the relationship between electricity consumption, electricity cost and economic development/growth. Also forecasting intermediaries and key role players in the electricity productive use across the rural community.