An appropriate and sustainable response to the housing challenge in Africa

A ROOF, A SKILL, A MARKET An appropriate and sustainable response to the housing challenge in Africa Appropriate Housing / Local Materials Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Professional Training and Local Know-how Improving Living Conditions Strengthening Local Economies Association la Voûte Nubienne (AVN) Presentation of its Program 15 years of research and implementation benefiting the housing sector December 2014

«Of course, we will teach people how to fish instead of giving them the fish... but we will also teach them how to fix the net and to sell the fish» «The world is changing... Let s change the world» Thomas Granier and Seri Youlou, co-founders of AVN program

The challenge And AVN s response A Roof: the Nubian Vault (NV) An appropriate building technique A Skill: NV Artisan-mason The emergence of a local know-how A market The vector of large scale dissemination The NV client Validating the NV concept The NV housing sector For the benefit of the largest number of people The field partners Taking up and expanding the AVN program Results, effects and impacts Towards the reversal of the problem Monitoring & Evaluation For an entrepreneurial management of the program Medium term projections Ambitions and development plan for the next 5 years Financial partners Investing in an innovative development Prizes and distinctions Demonstrating the relevance of the NV concept and strategy Become a partner «The Nubian Vault belongs to those who seize the moment!» 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 18 19 20 21

THE CHALLENGE And AVN s solution We no longer can find wood, nor straw for the construction of our houses. Today there are sheet metal roofs everywhere and they have become expensive and of poor quality. Besides, steel roofing has health effects when it is either hot or cold the house is unlivable, you can t even sleep. Zabre Jules, NV home owner "More than 50% of the population of the Sahel lacks access to decent housing." UN Habitat, Annual Report 2006; WRI Annual Report, 2007, The Market for Habitat The reasons: disappearance of wood and of straw because of population growth, deforestation and desertification. The alternatives to traditional habitat are not adapted to local economic and climatic realities. Steel roofing and cement: expensive imported materials that provide very poor thermal and sound insulation which have negative environmental impacts. Without appropriate housing, families in the Sahel are locked in a vicious cycle of discomfort, poverty and dependence that spurs the exodus from rural areas. In addition, Sahelian populations are powerless in face of the threats of global warming. Housing, a priority social need «The poorest people in Africa express their most important needs in the following order: lack of employment, housing insecurity, access to water.» Source : African Population and Health Research Center, 2002 Until now, no program had the scope to respond to the challenge of appropriate housing. 1

2 A TECHNICAL SOLUTION: THE NUBIAN VAULT Houses made of mud bricks, using only widely available local materials: earth, water, rocks; but no wood, nor cement, nor sheet metal roofing. Houses that are economical, solid, providing comfortable temperatures. An age-old architecture well adapted to needs and taught to and mastered by artisan-masons trained in the NV method. OUR OBJECTIVE To disseminate and give access to sustainable housing adapted to local needs as soon as possible to the greatest number of people. AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM + + = A ROOF A SKILL A MARKET IMPACTS «Affordable and appropriate alternative construction technique,, mastered by artisan-masons, centered on markets initiated by extension agents in the field, leading to multiple and large scale impacts.» The criteria of success The NV market reaches a sufficient volume of activity to lead to the growth of an indigenous and autonomous appropriation of the NV concept. The NV technique takes an equal place among others in the construction market. The realities of the construction sector and the intrinsic qualities of the NV concept lead to a continuous growth of the NV market and to a resolution of the housing problem over time. «Nubian Vault, it is like a family name. It stays in the family and is attached to it. Nubian Vault means security and employment for our children. We will do everything so that the other villagers build Nubian Vaults and encourage their children to get trained as NV masons.» Mrs. Ekobie, leader of a womens group in Burkina Faso

A ROOF: THE NUBIAN VAULT An appropriate building technique The Nubian Vault Technical Solution More durable: thick walls, terraced roofs resistant to rain, a house passed on from generation to generation More comfortable: all comforts thermal, acoustic, aesthetic and in use - and the option of traditional terraced roofs and two storey houses. More ecological: no wood or straw, no production or transport of imported materials (sheet metal roofing, cement, steel, rafters) More economical: up to 50% less expensive than other building techniques for the basic structure. More adapted to the local economy: local labor and materials, direct involvement of clients, cost re-injected directly into local economies A new form of habitat linking modernity and tradition, assuring quality and thermal comfort, promoting mutual assistance and traditional usage through adoption of the NV concept by local people. Nubian vault - Cross section Final rendering of mud or cement Buttress filled with earth Plastic waterproof sheeting Small high quality mud bricks Foundations of rocks and earth mortar Ordinary mud or laterite bricks 3

4 1200 1050 900 750 600 450 300 150 0 Comparative construction cost for the basic structure of a 25 sq meters building Rural area, Burkina-Faso NV Earth + Iron Cement + Iron INFORMAL FORMAL Formal value: minimal cost of paid work and purchase of materials Informal value: maximal equivalent value of work provided by the client without monetary exchange (self-help housing, mutual assistance, exchange, etc.) For the Record: «Yes, earth is an appropriate material» Today, it is used in different construction techniques around the world because of its advantages of durability, and economical price. «Yes, earth houses are solid!» Nubian Vaults built over 3,300 years ago at the Ramesseum Mortuary temple, Luxor (Egypt) are still standing. Earth, if maintained and/or protected, will last forever. The simplicity and standardization of the NV concept guarantee stability and durability. A construction technique adapted to a wide range of uses

5 A SKILL: NV ARTISAN-MASON The emergence of a local know-how NV masons: Come from the population of beneficiaries Are mostly farmers Are trained on site as apprentices by other masons, and introduced to market realities Promote the NV technique in order to sell their know-how locally Share their experiences with other masons and transfer their skills to trainers Operate in the informal and formal markets Are paid along with their team by their clients in a real market Are not paid by AVN, except a few masons or trainers for special consultancy missions «Before being a NV mason, I was a farmer and I was learning masonry with my dad who was building tin roofing houses until we heard about the NV technique. As we were already masons, our training was faster. Today, I can manage my own building sites and train apprentices. Temin Bizeni, NV consultant mason

6 AVN supports the NV offer by: permitting the emergence and the growth of the NV market offering organizational support during the lead up to and during construction projects reinforcing technical and entrepreneurial training supporting the formalization of certain NV artisan activities working with established builders to use NV concepts in their work. 1 2 3 Master Apprentice Mason Entrepreneur Mason Transfer of skills A salary guaranteed earnings A job with prospects Social recognition 4 #1 5 In 2014, the growth of demand for NV construction has been greater than the supply. In order to train apprentices more rapidly and efficiently, AVN collaborates with elite NV mason-trainers to put in place a dynamic training method that accelerates training on specific building sites.

7 THE MARKET The vector of large scale dissemination Diffusion of the NV Technique in a Pilot Village Key-person Extension Agent Awareness-raising about NV Potential clients Potential apprentices Requests for NV construction Requests for training in NV technique AVN contacts a NV mason & monitors construction Capacity building support from AVN Construction & Training Monitoring & evaluation by AVN Visibility of NV buildings On-site training in NV technique Self-sustaining growth of supply & demand Autonomous NV market & withdrawal of AVN

Kickstarting the NV market Market supported by AVN Semi-autonomous Market Autonomous Market Homegrown Market DPRP National coverage DPVP DPZP DPZP DPZP DPRP DPZP DPVP Pilot Region Pilot Zone DPVP Pilot Village Key Persons AVN Extension Agents Potential Clients NV Masons Apprentices NV Constructions DPVP - DPZP - DPRP: Deployment of the Program from a Pilot Village - Zone - Region 1 Deployment The «kickstart» method creates the market for NV construction by developing a local know-how and clientele. The market for NV construction consists in the direct commercial relationship between masons and clients. 2 Replication Of the «kickstart» method: geographical duplication by AVN and its partners Of the NV concept: the market becomes self-sustaining & autonomous Of AVN s methodology: applicable to other development issues 3 Appropriation The spread of the NV concept and dissemination methods leads to the dynamic growth of the NV market which becomes an integrated part of the construction sector. The ultimate aim is that local beneficiaries and their political representatives claim ownership of the NV concept and methodology. 8 4 Autonomy & Sustainability The NV market expands and becomes large enough to reach a threshold beyond which its growth is self-sustaining, no longer needing assistance and support. In this way, NV concept can confront and resolve the real challenges of the provision of adequate housing.

THE NV CLIENTS Validating the NV concept AVN goal: to reach the largest possible number of people Women are the main users of houses so, with their dependent children, they are the main beneficiaries of an appropriate house. In addition, for the most part, their small scale commerce provides for the purchase of construction materials. Small farmers are the main target of the program. Taking part in a largely informal economy, farmers involve themselves directly in the construction of their own buildings as general workers. People with salaries, official, traders in villages and small towns are also targets of the AVN program. They are part of a slightly more formal and monetized economy and pay cash for their buildings. «The house is durable, everyone knows that. Me, I made my calculations myself and it is the Nubian Vault that is less expensive than the metal roof building. In my village, people helped me a lot; the men collected rocks for the foundations, made the bricks and helped me build; the women helped by bringing the well water to make the bricks.» M. Larou Lontie farmer 9 9

10 The demand for new building projects is more and more varied Urban clients The qualities of NV buildings aesthetics, design (two stories, roof terraces) and passive thermal comfort answer the needs of urban living and this sector is expected to grow. AVN is responding to this demand by reinforcing the capacity of NV mason-artisans to master different buildings styles and finishes in the urban milieu (stairways, protective coatings, more complex plans and projects, etc.) Institutional and community clients Schools, health centers, agricultural storage units, offices, religious buildings are among the many needs that the NV concept can clearly meet. For the completion of its building projects, AVN calls on NV mason-artisans and construction companies from the formal sector. Through these «showcase» buildings, the master builders reinforce the understanding of the advantages of NV construction and further spread the use of the VN concepts. AVN is involved as a market facilitator. AVN is not a construction company. AVN does not finance the construction of buildings. Masons manage their building sites and their relation with clients. Clients themselves pay the mason-artisans. Some take part directly in their building project.

THE NV HOUSING SECTOR For the benefit of the largest possible number of people INSTITUTIONAL BACKING OF THE NV PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE 01 02 03 RE-HOUSING OF DISPLACED POPULATIONS MICRO-CREDIT FOR NV HOUSING the Kickstart Method 04 05 06 INVOLVEMENT OF THE FORMAL TRAINING SECTOR Core Activity Widened Core Activity 11 Outlying Core Activity

12 The «kickstart» method AVN s core competency Dissemination and appropriation of the NV concept by the market Involvement of local development actors Replication of the «kickstart» method by local partners Vocational training On the job training, stimulated by AVN s actions. 01 02 Moving the NV technique into the formal market Recognition of NV mason and appropriation by the construction industry 03 Research and Development Further research on the NV technique Urban Housing Pilot projects in the urban and peri-urban areas Institutional and Community Buildings Construction of institutional and/or community buildings 04 05 06 Institutionalizing the AVN program Integration of the NV into local, regional and national policies Banking and micro-finance for NV housing Financing projects for NV buildings by banks or micro-finance institutions Involvement of vocational training centers Bringing the construction industry training centers into the NV habitat sector Re-housing populations affected by natural disasters Support for resettlement projects Development expertise Quantitative and qualitative evaluations of key subjects

13 FIELD PARTNERS Taking up and expanding AVN program Locally deployed partners Local civil society organizations (local community organizations, small farmers organizations, local associations, women s groups, etc.) In collaboration with AVN as pro-active partners: - launch a popularization program in their area using their experience and networks - develop specific complementary programs that concern them (NV habitat micro-finance, community buildings, professional training, etc.). To kickstart further market development, AVN helps build their overall capacity and helps them to raise specific funds. International Non-Government Organizations Development and cooperation partners involve themselves in: - the spread of the program - informing their networks in local civil society and their institutional partners - the launch of programs that complement their main areas of activity. Re-housing operations Donors and competent local associations put in place programs using NV concept to re-house people suffering from natural disasters (floods, etc.). AVN offers technical assistance to such operations through accelerated training in relevant building projects.

14 Technical partners Micro-finance Micro-finance institutions and banks, along with AVN, develop innovative credit products for NV housing to offer to clients. Agriculture Engineers, local associations and small farmers associations take part in R&D on the best use of NV buildings for agricultural storage and animal husbandry. Vocational training Professional trainers help improve the training capacity of the AVN program and help NV mason-artisans in making their activity more formal. Institutional technical support Institutional technical services integrate NV concepts into their recognized construction methods and produce appropriate technical reference dossiers, project specifications and calls for bids. Political partners The question of housing for the greatest number of people involves considerations of economics, legislation, professional training, environmental impacts and climate change adaptation. These considerations depend on political decisions and the operation of the public administrations that put them into effect. Thus, AVN has to inform political actors and administrators in various parts of a country so that they understand and take up NV concepts and apply them in their work. The position of AVN as a development agent in the appropriate housing sector sanctioned and mandated by central and regional governments signals the maturity of AVN s market growth program. «The NV constructions are answering major challenges that the Regional Council is also handling, like quality habitat, job creation and the struggle against illegal logging. A whole economy is being created. We have been convinced by the approach and by the contribution for the region» Maxime Koné, President of the Region of Dedougou, Burkina Faso.

15 RESULTS, EFFECTS AND IMPACTS Towards the reversal of the problem Results and growth of the NV program Nubian Vaults built Building sites Locations Surface area (hectares) Masons trained Apprentices in training Direct beneficiaries CO2 saved (on basic structure) Savings on basic structure Annual growth 2014 2025 2,420 45,000 1,235 30,000 570 15,000 5.8 110 330 3,800 300 3,500 17,440 310,000 4,830t 90,000t 1.75 M 33 M 31 % 36 % Figures for June 30th 2014 The Nubian Vault is also 5 national teams 13 regional teams in 5 countries 45 salaried staff (inc. 40 local staff) 135 volunteers (inc. 120 in Africa) Its Board of Directors More than 400 social investors

16 Geographical deployment Dakar DIAKRE PODOR SENEGAL THIES MAURITANI A MALI SAN GAMBIA GUINEA BISSAU GUINEA SEGOU Bamako DEDOUGOU DIOILA KOUTIALA BAMA BOROMO BURKINA FASO YAKO NEBBA Ouagadougou KOUBRI DJOUGOU SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA IVORY COAST BOLGATANGA TOGO GHANA BÉNIN Cotonou Accra AVN 2014 300 km 200 mi Carte déploiement Aout 2014 Key : National offices Region Zone Regional offices Pilot project Franchisees / collaboratives offices Multiple benefits & impacts Economic Development and strengthening of family, local and territorial economies Training and putting professionals into jobs Creating value in the housing stock Socio-cultural Improving the quality of life Enhancing virtuous cycles of social progress Recovery of an ArchiCulture and local and adapted know-how Environmental Climate change adaptation Climate change mitigation Preservation of forest and wood resources Passive thermal performance

MONITORING & EVALUATION For an entrepreneurial management of the program SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUIL AUG REGION WEEKLY: FIELD DATA ENTRY NATIONAL MONTHLY: CENTRALISATION OF FIELD DATA INTERNATIONAL BI-ANUAL: COMPILATION & DRAFTING OF PRODUCTION REPORTS Seasonal planning seminar in France Steering Committees Start Middle End of each Season Collecting and organizing key information allows the tracking of the NV market and its evolution, understanding socio-economic and environmental impacts and foreseeing further necessary actions. To assure the relevance, performance and durability of NV building in the local socio-economic context, AVN is working on the following studies: 1. Qualitative evaluations of customer satisfaction 2. studies on the NV self-sustaining markets 3. Studies of program efficiency and the program s indirect impacts 4. Studies on employment and training 5. Studies on the thermal comfort of NV buildings 6. Studies on the energy efficiency of NV buildings 17

18 MEDIUM TERM PROJECTIONS Ambitions and development plan for the next 5 years Quantitative results 8 countries opened or opening 8 Ministries or Regions directly involved in the AVN program 33% annual growth rate of the NV market 25% annual growth rate of masons trained 100 local employees 10 construction companies have integrated the NV solution in their offer 15 NV masons have created their own enterprises 25 field partners are involved NV Credit Habitat programs are initiated in every country opened for more than 3 years Main challenges Lobbying and involvement of political actors and their financial partners on a large scale Evolution of AVN s economic model toward a «for profit» positioning Risk management adapted to the general growth of the program Important and balanced growth of the NV demand and offer Sustainable integration of the NV concept in the formal / institutional sectors

19 FINANCIAL PARTNERS Investing in an innovative development Financial partners Historical financial partners Partnership network

PRIZES & DISTINCTIONS The relevance of the NV concept and strategy Environment & sustainable development Entrepreneuriat & economic development Habitat & construction International Recognition «The Nubian Vault is today in its field the best program in the world» Satprem Maini, Chair UNESCO Earth Architecture India «The leverage generated by the Nubian Vault makes it one of the most innovative initiatives for the benefit of people in the Sahel» Arnaud Mourot, Director General Ashoka France 20

BECOME A PARTNER «The Nubian Vault belongs to those who seize the moment!» Created in 2000, the Association la Voûte Nubienne is today implementing the only program capable of sustainably reversing on a large scale the challenges of habitat in the Sahel The involvement of other dedicated actors is essential in reducing the housing deficit. Are you concerned? Join us in this dynamic program! Institutions Individuals NGO's Local associations Corporates Foundations CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INSTITUTIONAL INVOLVEMENT FINANCIAL INVESTMENT NETWORKING FIELD PARTNER SKILL-BASED SPONSORSHIP VALUE CREATION 21

22 Financial partners in AVN global program Support the AVN program and its general strategy in its different countries of intervention and on the different aspects of the housing sector. Financial support for the overall program is essential to allow for a flexible and responsive global strategy. Geographical deployment partner Support the market «kickstart» method from a pilot village, zone or region, and/or support local development partners, trained by AVN to disseminate the NV concept in their own zone. AVN regional teams and their partners open up the NV market through awareness campaigns, follow-up and active support. Political partner Policy makers, elected representatives, institutional stakeholders, this program is yours. Propose and contribute to its integration into your policies (habitat, economy, professional training, environment, etc.) at the regional and national level and thus guide the evolution and adaptation of the housing sector in Africa. Financial products for affordable NV housing Micro-finance and bank professionals, participate in the creation and the offer of new products of housing credit and thus its integration in the housing sector. These products are not very widespread, even though they form a genuine aspiration of your customers and an essential lever for development.

23 Community building partner NGOs, field operators, have your buildings built using the NV technique (gender, education, health, agriculture, etc.). Such showcase buildings help spread awareness and provide apprentices training opportunities, while your beneficiaries will benefit from the qualities of the NV concept. Urban project partner Financial partners, operators and stakeholders in urban construction, get involved in the emergence of a NV market adapted to the local context. The population will benefit from the economic, architectural, environmental qualities and comfort of the NV concept tailored to the urban environment. Vocational training parter Participate in AVN s actions to mentor and the energize the NV informal training. While promoting the emergence of a job with prospects, you will help the offer to meet the growth in demand for NV buildings. Technical studies partner Share your skills and those of your organisation to help promote the AVN program: development expertise, impact assessment, environmental studies, marketing etc. Resettlement project partner Financial partners and field operators, set up relocation programs using the NV technique to provide your beneficiaries with appropriate and sustainable housing and vocational training.

24 Five strengths of the AVN program 1. A technical answer adapted to local needs and realities. 2. An efficient and innovative social entrepreneurship approach acting with and relying on the local market. 3. The capacity for adaptation and development of a range of themes relating to various housing issues. 4. A unique and permanent objective focus on the housing sector for the largest number of people possible. 5. The diversity of AVN s team in terms of gender, education, age, social, background and nationality.

«Housing is one of the most basic needs of every individual so that he can organize his life, prepare his future, settle his ideas. Contrary to what one might think, housing is not for the poorest among us a consumer item like any other: it is a vital investment for their health, to increase their productive capacity and the well-being of their families.» Dipal Chandra Barua, former director of the Grameen Bank AVN Burkina Faso BP 505 - Boromo - Secteur 1 Burkina Faso avn-bf@lavoutenubienne.org AVN Senegal Quartier Grand Thialy - Thiès Sénégal avn-senegal@lavoutenubienne.org AVN Mali BP 424 - Segou Mali avn-mali@lavoutenubienne.org Opening AVN Bénin - Djougou avn-benin@lavoutenubienne.org AVN Ghana - Bolgatanga avn-ghana@lavoutenubienne.org Head office of the Association la Voûte Nubienne 7 rue Jean Jaurès - 34190 Ganges Tel : +33 (0) 4 67 81 21 05 contact@lavoutenubienne.org Follow us on: www.lavoutenubienne.org/en thenubianvault @earthroofs