Towards an Adoption Framework for Indigenous Building Materials Usage in Housing Delivery in Urban/Peri-Urban Areas of Ghana: A Theoretical Review

Housing supply and its related issues especially housing deficits have become topical globally receiving attention. Several countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa have attempted different approaches to mitigate the housing challenges. However, the housing deficit problem is on the rise. One key factor associated with the increasing global housing deficit is the high cost of building materials which does not deviate from that of Ghana. Housing construction in urban/peri-urban areas of Ghana is largely characterised by overreliance on the high cost of conventional building materials (CBM) and underutilization of indigenous building materials (IBM). This is despite the potential of IBM to achieve environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally sustainable houses. The situation is largely associated with limited Knowledge of IBM and a lack of an adoption framework for the successful implementation of IBM in housing construction. This study adopted a systematic literature review approach on the state of housing provision in Ghana, the concept of IBM, drivers to IBM adoption, and stimulating measures towards increased implementation of IBM in housing delivery in Ghana. The study identified six major drivers to influence the adoption of IBM in housing delivery. These include; material inherent characteristics, environmental, socio-cultural, economic, government influence, and technology and education related drivers. The study also revealed and recommended inclusion in an IBM adoption framework stimulating measures such as education and publicity; government policies and regulations; commitment, IBM research and development; and procurement, incentives and support.