Low cost housing may be defined as provision of housing which caters to the minimum requirements of masses within their income capabilities, without sacrificing the quality of construction.
Most of the developing countries face the problems of poverty, large population growth and acute housing shortage. Research and development institutions engaged in the field of building technology like the Central Building Research Institute ( CBRI), Roorkee; the structural engineering research centre (SERC), Madras; the National council for cement and building material (NCB), Ballabhgarh; and the Regional Research Laboratories, etc. how played important role in the development of cost- effective construction techniques and materials. On the other hand organizations like national Building materials and technology promotion council (BMTPC), New Delhi, Housing and urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), and the national network of Nirmiti Kendras (Building centers) have been instrumental in the promotion of the innovative construction techniques evolved by the research institutions in the country.
COST EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
In order to test the research find in the field, Experimental Housing Scheme was initiated by the government of India in 1962 under the aegis of the NBO. Some of the cost effective technologies and building materials are discussed in this chapter.
Participants