A Review of Alternative Building Materials for Sustainable Construction Towards Sustainable Development

Abstract

The study reviewed Alternative Building Materials for sustainable construction towards sustainable development. The study was able to identify some Alternative Building Materials, their features, classes (types), and importance for sustainable construction toward sustainable development. The study uses a systematic literature review and content analysis. Some of the Alternative Building Materials include laterite soil, brick wastes, rice husk ash burnt refuse ash, fly ash, periwinkle shell powder, earthworm cast, pulverized burned clay, periwinkle shell aggregate, tubali, earth/mud blocks or bricks, laterite blocks, bamboo for roofing & ceiling, palm front roofing, clay/mud plaster. The classes of the Alternative Building Materials include: modified conventional industrial materials, unconventional/ indigenous/ traditional materials, and modified unconventional/traditional indigenous materials. The features of sustainable construction materials include recyclability, insulation and thermal conductivity and deconstruct ability, availability, manufacturing and price, flexibility and high life time expectancy. The importance of Alternative Building Materials includes: the protection of the environment through reduce energy use and also cutting down CO2 emission, provision of affordable housing, energy conservation, meeting increasing demands for housing stock, provision of employment opportunities, the development and propagation of indigenous technological ingenuity and skills of our local people. The study advocates for the integration of the entire stakeholders in the construction industry towards utilisation of Alternative Building Materials for sustainable construction towards sustainable development. The study also advocates for the cataloguing of all Alternative Building Materials so as to create awareness to all the potential clients and stakeholders of the industry regarding their availability and importance.