Context-Sensitive Solutions in Community Development Projects

The growing global construction market has increasingly allowed builders and engineers from developed countries to participate in projects in developing countries. These builders and designers bring with them international standards and best practices that are possibly to the detriment of the local client and its stakeholders. Ignoring local context-sensitive solutions that account for historical, cultural and societal differences may outweigh benefits of implementing international best practices.

An example of successfully implementing locally developed socio-economic construction project policies and guidelines can be found in the Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge and Walkway community development project completed in 2010 in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The footbridge project included additional components such as taxi lay-byes, a walkway and a bridge widening that could specifically cater for unskilled and semi-skilled labour. Additionally, specific policies drafted by the South African National Roads Agency along with flexible applications to suit the needs of the Blackburn community enabled this project to be a landmark in not only structural design but community development.

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