Case Study: MRHP 2007, Tanzania
The Problems
Traditionally houses in the area are built out of mud and wood and are often have to be rebuilt after the wet season. According to the Ashden Awards, a group that recognises organisations who promote sustainable development, “the quality of housing in the area is extremely poor with the majority of people living in semi-permanent mud structures that are vulnerable to storms and earth tremors”.
Traditional brick making
With an increasing number of inhabitants demanding durable housing able to withstand the rain, the number of temporary brick kilns, or ‘clamps’, has increased and put significant pressure on wood stocks. With wood also being used as fuel for cooking, the increased demand has led to massive deforestation and further reduced the soil quality in the area.