Sustainable Architecture in Developing Countries: Harvest Map of the Lusaka Territory, Zambia

Abstract

In Zambia, Western materials, techniques, and technologies, a symbol of emancipation, are replacing the local building culture, which is relegated to the poor sections of society, with a negative impact from an environmental, social, and economic point of view. Designing and building sustainable architecture in developing countries is a particularly complex task mainly because of the absence of scientifically codified information about vernacular architecture and available resources. The starting point for designing and building sustainable architecture is to know the territory and its resources. The research outlines the harvest map of sustainable resources in Lusaka’s geographic surroundings, created through site surveys and analysis of international databases. The method for creating a harvest map follows well-defined steps involving knowledge of climate, intangible resources, and material resources as described below. Knowledge of the climate is intended to enable a critical reading of the area’s resources; it is functional to understand the logic of traditional architecture and consequently to identify fields of innovation in it. Intangible resources are related to the building culture and techniques and technologies of vernacular architecture of the territory; material resources, on the other hand, are related to traditionally used materials, raw materials not yet exploited, but potentially usable and waste materials. The vernacular architecture of the Lusaka territory is based on low-tech systems and natural materials (mainly raw earth, plant fibers, wood, and bamboo). There are also tree species in the territory that, for their quantity and performance, could be used in the construction field, as well as waste materials from common use or from the agricultural supply chain. Starting from this harvest map, every designer has the knowledge of the area from which to use already known building systems related to the resources of the area or innovate them while respecting local culture and resources.