ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Just under half of the world's population live on less than 2US$ per day. Agenda 21 (1992) recognized that access to safe and healthy shelter should be a fundamental part of national and international action. The Habitat Agenda (1996) linked locally available, appropriate, affordable, safe, efficient and environmentally sound construction methods and technologies that emphasize optimal use oflocal human resources to the concept of "sustainable construction". The Johannesburg World Summit (2002) includes an action relating to the use of low-cost and sustainable materials and appropriate technologies for the construction of adequate and secure housing for the poor.
