Stabilised or unstabilised earth construction for contemporary urban housing?

Abstract

Environmental sustainability is a major challenge and built environment professionals are facing a colossal challenge to seek out solutions. There is evidence to support the use of contemporary earthen architecture in developing countries to firstly, address the housing crisis, and secondly, to also address excessive carbon dioxide emissions, global warming and climate challenges. Contemporary earth construction exists in two major formats: un-stabilised and stabilised earth construction. Surprisingly, the vast majority of built environment experts are reluctant and oppose to prescribe stabilised earth as a solution of urban housing crisis and environmental sustainability. More too, the definition and meaning of stabilised earth construction is misunderstood amongst construction professionals. This paper examines the meaning, relevance and reasons of the use of stabilised and un-stabilised earth in the construction of urban housing in developed and developing countries. In doing so, it explores the arguments in favour of stabilised and un-stabilised earth construction.