As the local and international macroeconomic landscape becomes more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous owing to climate change and increasing instances of extreme heat and flooding, it necessitates greater infrastructure resilience.

That, in turn, requires the use of more sustainable and innovative products in the built environment.

“The ever-changing environmental and inclement weather conditions in South Africa have forced a shift in the materials and systems used in construction, which often result on non-standardised construction products and systems,” said non-standardised product certification agency Agrément South Africa CEO Richard Somanje.

ASA is a technical agency under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and often hosts stakeholder engagement forums to promote the development of more sustainable and innovative products, as well as encourages partnerships between the public and private sectors.

During its latest stakeholder engagement forum on February 25, Somanje explained that ASA needed to be updated and informed in terms of projects that were happening, to help mitigate the risks associated with new products and systems, particularly from a safety point of view.

“We work with departments that are specifiers, as well as other public entities, to assist contractors in terms of bid specification for innovative products. We do assessments and tests to certify products that do not follow national standards,” he stated as a reminder of ASA’s purpose.

Under the themes of promoting socioeconomic development and partnerships for sustainable innovation, Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala emphasised the importance of learning, unlearning and learning again in the built environment, while embracing innovation and development.

He mentioned that climate change served as a reminder of the need to build climate-resilient communities and ensure construction methods contribute to saving lives and preserving the environment.

“Recent rainfall in South Africa and the California fires in the US are examples of why the built environment needs to advance new projects with disaster consciousness to save lives in mind, through new methods over and above conventional methods of construction.

“Only through partnerships between [the] public and private [sectors] can we turn the country into a construction site, as well as embrace change and transition to innovative building systems that promote sustainability and efficiency,” Zikalala said.

He implored portfolio committees to allow government departments to pilot more of these solutions as these often reduce costs and benefit communities, but end up not being pursued.

Zikalala mentioned how new ways of building, including using modular construction and containers, could shorten construction time, reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and lower costs, which helps address government challenges with project delays in local construction.

“Introducing sustainable products, including environment-friendly and recycled materials, smart technology and energy efficiency systems, can drastically change how government approaches construction in South Africa. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure envisions a future where buildings serve as pillars for sustainability,” he added.

Zikalala affirmed that government was increasingly committed to creating a conducive environment for sustainable investment, including by incentivising companies that prioritise sustainable practices and innovation in construction; however, he highlighted that more partnerships were necessary to unlock these investments.

The Deputy Minister also pointed out the need to empower more small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a way to stimulate economic growth and revitalise the construction sector.

He called for greater collaboration between all stakeholders to transfer skills to SMEs and develop new solutions alongside universities and private companies.

Zikalala also mentioned the importance of a regulatory framework that is supportive and facilitates the deployment of innovative building technologies, while keeping policies adaptable and agile.

“Getting communities involved in planning and implementation is also essential.”

Zikalala bemoaned how projects often take too long to register as public-private partnerships, which needs more work across government departments and public entities.

Moreover, ASA confirmed that it was entering into more partnerships with specifiers of innovative non-standardised construction-related products and systems, as well as participating in the bid specification committees of the specifiers to promote the use of innovative products and systems.

In the 2023/24 financial year, ASA issued certificates to various non-standardised construction products and systems, including a composite recycled plastic brick building system; pothole glue mix, polymer-based soil stabiliser; and innovative wall coating and road surface products.

ASA also provided financial and supply chain management support services to companies, including training sessions for SMEs.