Low Cost Housing Report 3 Gate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our deepest appreciation and thanks to our subject teacher Ar. Kuber
Shrestha who provided us with an opportunity to understand and explore the status of
economical and low-cost housing scenario in rural and urban context of Nepal helping us create
this proposal for efficient low cost housings in Nepal for people belonging to Lower Middle
Income Group (LMIG), Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
Furthermore, we would like to express gratitude to our Teachers of Design studio VIII Ar.
Anish limbu , Ar. Sanjaya Maharjan and Ar. Pradip Pokhrel for their effort of conducting
the design project concerning housing project. We express our thankfulness to all the friends,
who have assisted in creating this well compiled proposal for low cost housing.
Regards,
Anjali Karna (03)
Ashim Sapkota (04)
Rojina Karki (32)
Sabina Gurung (34)
Sabita Guragain (35)
Saroj Dahal (42)
Sunita Banstola (47)
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 1
ABSTRACT
In a developing country like Nepal, it is important to build shelter which is affordable to all,
from high income group to low income group and economically weak section. The economic
crisis has left nobody untouched. From the highly advanced countries to the least developed
countries and developing countries like ours are facing the problems of overpopulation day by
day. The scarcity of the energy sources, food, clothing and shelter has become one of the
catastrophic threats to the whole world.
Even within Nepal, what is low cost in Kathmandu may not be so in Jumla. Load bearing brick
masonry may be cost effective in Kathmandu or Terai but not so in Pokhara or other
mountainous areas where stone are available abundantly at cheap rates. So, to make the
construction low cost, we should know first the area where the construction is to be executed and
the available resources and construction practices in that area. Using the local materials and local
practices are the best way to achieve low cost. But if there are drawbacks in the local materials
and local practices we should use the appropriate technology so that these drawbacks are
eliminated whilst still making the construction affordable for the people.
Increasing number of slums in Dharan which is a highly populated urban residential area
consisting mostly of impoverished persons. Recent year number of slums is increasing in
Dharan. that is problematic for city in many ways first it destructs the beauty of city, waste
cannot manage
A REPORT properly,
ON LOW live in disaster prone zone, violate human rights, etc. Recently, it
COST HOUSING 2
becomes the cause of increasing number of urban poverty.
The cost effective building or low cost housing is the ultimate solution of this problem. The
unorganized settlements with poor living conditions, haphazard health schemes, safety are a
great threat to the nation. Thus the importance of the low cost housing is unavoidable. Low cost
housing works on the principle “housing for all.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.............................................................................................................................1
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................2
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................8
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING............................................................................................................8
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF HOUSING....................................................................................................................8
1.3 NEEDS OF HOUSING...........................................................................................................................9
1.4 TYPES OF HOUSING............................................................................................................................9
1.5 INTRODUCTION TO LOW COST HOUSING..........................................................................................9
1.6 OBJECTIVES OF LOW COST HOUSING..............................................................................................10
1.7 NEPAL’S HOUSING SCENARIO..........................................................................................................11
2. METHODOLOGIES OF LOW COST HOUSING...................................................................12
2.1 POLICIES...........................................................................................................................................12
2.2 INCREASING PUBLIC HOUSING........................................................................................................12
2.3 INCREASING LAND SUPPLY FOR HOUSING BY LESS..........................................................................12
ARESTRICTIVE
REPORT ONLAND
LOWUSE
COST HOUSING
PLANNING REGULATIONS................................................................................12 3
2.4. SUBSIDISING LOW-INCOME (EQUIVALISED) HOUSEHOLDS............................................................13

2.5. SUBSIDIES FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN........................................................................13
3. APPROACH TO LOW COST HOUSING.................................................................................................13
3.1. PLANNING OF LAND AND LAND DEVELOPMENT............................................................................13
3.2. DESIGN OF INDIVIDUAL BUILDING..................................................................................................14
3.3. USE OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION......................................................................14
TECHNOLOGY........................................................................................................................................14
4. BACKGROUND OF LOW COST HOUSING IN NEPAL......................................................14
4.1. PROBLEMS IN PRESENT HOUSING CONDITION...............................................................................15
5. LOW COST MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY...................................................................16
5.1 HOLLOW CEMENT CONCRETE BLOCK (HCCB)..................................................................................16
5.2 PARTIAL PRECAST SLAB PANELS AND PARTIAL PRECAST.................................................................17
5.3 MASONRY PROJECTION FRAME FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS.........................................................18
5.4 PRECAST PANELS FOR TREAD OF STAIRCASE...................................................................................18
5.5 STABILIZED SOIL BLOCK COATED WITH WAX...................................................................................19
6. DESIGNING MATERIALS OF LOW COST HOUSING.......................................................19
6.1 VERTICAL ELEMENTS........................................................................................................................19
6.2. HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS.................................................................................................................21
6.3 DOORS AND WINDOWS...................................................................................................................22
7. LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................................23
7.1. CASE STUDIES NEPAL......................................................................................................................24
CASE-STUDY 1....................................................................................................................................25
...........................................................................................................................................................25
...........................................................................................................................................................28
CASE-STUDY 4....................................................................................................................................28
Detailed Study:..................................................................................................................................28
CASE-STUDY 5....................................................................................................................................29
Detailed Study:..................................................................................................................................29
...........................................................................................................................................................29
7.1.2. KARMACHARI SANCHAYA KOSH HOUSING, POKHARA............................................................30
7.1.3. KIRTIPUR HOUSING..................................................................................................................32
7.2. CASE STUDY ON ARCHITECT AND LOW COST HOUSING OF SAARC COUNTRIES.............................34
7.2.1. LAURIE BAKER:.........................................................................................................................34
7.2.5. COST HOUSING IN PAKISTAN...................................................................................................37
8. SELECTION OF LOW COST BUILDING MATERIAL........................................................39
8.1 Natural.............................................................................................................................................40
8.2 Man Made.......................................................................................................................................43
9. LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT AT KHORIA BASTI-15.................................................44
9.1 ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT SITE.......................................................................................................44
9.2 BYELAWS..........................................................................................................................................46
9.3 TARGET GROUPS..............................................................................................................................47
9.3.1. LOW MIDDLE INCOME GROUP (LMIG):....................................................................................47
9.3.2. LOW INCOME GROUP (LIG):.....................................................................................................47
9.3.3. ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS (EWS):............................................................................48
9.4. LOW COST HOUSING UNITS............................................................................................................48
9.5. LESSON LEARNT..............................................................................................................................48
9.6. SITE PLANNING...............................................................................................................................48
10. CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................57
11. REFERENCES........................................................................................................................58
12. ANNEX...................................................................................................................................59
12.1. RENDERED IMAGE........................................................................................................................59
..59
12.2. DRAWING DETAILS........................................................................................................................63
12.2.1.....................................................................................................................................................63
12.2.2. LOW INCOME GROUP...............................................................................................................67
...............................................................................70

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING

House is a system. Housing is a residential area with necessary physical, social, and cultural
infrastructure that should not only be affordable but acceptable as well. A shelter is a basic
human need not only for the protection against sun, rain, heat and cold but also for the
continuation of the ethnical standard of the family and the society. While catering the basic
human needs like Food, Shelter and Clothing, especially the shelter, a pattern of community was
developed in the course of time. This development was not planned and it never caused
problems at the beginning. But as the community started growing, settlement disputes and
disfigures started arising.
Now it is worldwide realized that a proper planning is necessary before starting any kind of
settlements or community. Housing is one of the planning practices for the community
development; it proposes to combine a variety of factors social, economic and physical into
effective change for the present and future. Planning is about integrating social, economic,
aesthetic and environmental concerns to create better living conditions for the people and to
create a built environment, which satisfies the needs and desires of the citizens.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF HOUSING
 To form a community
 Formation of neighborhood
 Security reason
 Migration of younger generation
 Cater basic physical, social, and cultural infrastructure to the community.
1.3 NEEDS OF HOUSING
 Scarcity of land
 higher land value
 inconveniency of services like water supply in individual level
 inconveniency of construction work in individual level
 security and privacy
 increase in population
 migration to city
 trend of parent-child unit eliminating the extended family concept
1.4 TYPES OF HOUSING

 Single family detached
 SingleFamily attached
 Twofamily or townhouses
 Cluster housing
 Matrix housing
 Rowhouses
 Duplexes
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING
 Quaduplex/fourplex 8
 Lowriseand medium riseapartment
 Garden apartment
1.5 INTRODUCTION TO LOW COST HOUSING

Low cost housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed
"affordable" to a group of people within a specified income range. It does not mean the cheap
building. It refers to the cost effective building developed by cutting off the unnecessary costs in
a building to make easily affordable for all people. Low cost housing contributes to the
community’s social well being by ensuring safe, accessible and affordable housing to people on
low incomes. The house may not be pretentious. It may be only a house with a minimum of
living space. Nevertheless, whatever the size and type of specifications, the house can be well
planned inside to assure maximum livability; and pleasingly designs.
The principle for low cost is firmly rooted on the grounds of buildings houses that maintain
proper standard of living without compromising on its strength and durability, at the
lowest possible price. (Source- www.spacenepal.com)
• Frank Lloyd Wright once called architects “high grade salesmen”;

• Samuel Mockbee labeled them “House pets to the rich.”
• “Everyone, rich or poor, deserves a shelter for the soul”
• Testing abstract notions about poverty by “crossing over into that other world, smelling
it, feeling it, experiencing it,”-the other world the economically weaker section.
• This brings out the concept of low cost housing.
• Not inferior or cheap housing scheme.
• Is an Affordable or cost effective housing.
• Propounds the idea of “ housing for all.”
Low cost housing will largely facilitate the lower income groups and the displaced ones who are
either homeless or living in the rented houses. The aim of low cost housing is to fulfill the need
of the lower income and middle income groups by developing the different appropriate
technologies most fitted to them. In most cases we have to use the locally available materials. If
these locally available materials have any defects, they should be improved by the application of
modern techniques. Low Cost House or Cost effective house does not mean only a cheap house
without considering the quality, durability, and strength of the house. An inferior house may be
cheap but may become unfit for living within a short period of time. Such house may be risky to
live in and may be costlier in the long run. It means that from the given physical resources of
funds, materials, land, and skills, we should be able to build maximum number of houses of good
quality at an affordable cost. The technology of design and construction of low-cost housing
must also be appropriate in the economic and social conditions prevailing in the developing
countries. Purely technological considerations and solutions cannot be the sole criteria for
tackling the problem of housing.
1.6 OBJECTIVES OF LOW COST HOUSING

There are certain goals that the low cost housings try to reach. The main objectives can be listed
as follows:
 To fulfill the demand of shelter for homeless, economically weaker sections and low
income groups of the society.
 Utilize the available resources like land, material and labor most efficiently in an
optimum level.
 To achieve efficient utilization of land and avoid negative spaces as much as possible.
 To explore alternatives in building materials that have less effects on the environment.
 To provide hands-on training to local labor whilst constructing the low cost housings and
develop skills among unemployed.
 To expand the use of local skills and improve existing methods avoiding complex
infrastructure
 To rely as little as possible on foreign skills and imported technologies and inputs.
 To provide shelter for all.
 To form a community or a neighborhood.
 To provide security.
 To minimize the overall running or maintenance cost.
1.7 NEPAL’S HOUSING SCENARIO

The government of Nepal has not started any mass housing projects but has been taking active
part in land development projects. Most common housing development processes in Nepal are
owner built type in which land is received by the owner himself. Building permit is needed in
municipalities but is not a compulsion in VDC’s.
As per the national shelter policy 1996, only 8.3% of the Nepalese people have permanent type
of shelter. Out of the remaining 91.7%, 42.2% have semi-permanent shelter and the rest i.e.
50.50% live in temporary type of houses. The condition of most of these temporary types of
houses is precarious. Many of these have only one or two room where a range of activities from
preparing food to breeding of livestock are conducted and the same is also used as their bed
room. In addition to the unhealthy environment these houses are also most vulnerable to natural
disaster like fire, storm, flood, etc.
In the present context, where rich is becoming richer and poor becoming poorer, these poor
families cannot be expected to become capable to improve their economic condition and thus
cannot afford for a better shelter. Hence it has demanded to focus on construction of low cost
housing to those needed families rather than highly commercialized housing. It seems effective
in the developing country like Nepal.
2. METHODOLOGIES OF LOW COST HOUSING
There is an urgent need to develop housing policy in Nepal. The rapid urban development is
causing uncontrolled haphazard housing pattern while high cost houses are dominating low cost
housings. If this pattern continues, economically weaker sections will never be able to afford
houses for themselves. So, to develop housing policies, estimates of the low cost housing needed
in the owner and rental markets by location are required.
Although there can be numerous methods and ideas to tackle this problem, the methods listed
below can be major steps in reducing housing cost and developing low cost housings.
2.1 POLICIES
The following policies can effectively reduce housing costs:
 Increasing the supply of housing via less restrictive land use planning regulations.
 Subsidizing low-income households in owned or rented housing.
 Subsidies for land development and urban infrastructure.
 Providing more subsidized public housing.
 Providing real interest-only loans for housing.
 Reducing housing demand and rents by reducing subsidies for homeowners.
 Modifying or abandoning negative gearing provisions.
2.2 INCREASING
A REPORT PUBLIC
ON LOW COST HOUSINGHOUSING 11
The main reasons for increasing public housing are as follows:
Externalities: An adequate level of housing has a range of external benefits and contributes to
a healthier and more productive workforce.
Complex needs: The market does not supply adequate housing to households in crisis,
vulnerable groups or high-risk groups.
Shortages of affordable housing in the rental market.
2.3 INCREASING LAND SUPPLY FOR HOUSING BY LESS

RESTRICTIVE LAND USE PLANNING REGULATIONS
Several studies of house prices have found that real house prices are responsive to the quantity of
the housing stock (see Girouard et al., 2006). Abelson et al. (2005), one of the cited papers,
found substantial responsiveness: an elasticity of) -3.6 for Australia as a whole. This indicates
that a 1 percent increase in the total housing stock reduces real house prices by 3.6 per cent.
Most other findings reported in Girouard et al. (2006) are of a similar magnitude or a little lower.
Further, there is little doubt that government restrictions on both land supply for housing and the
application of capital to land are limiting the supply of housing. The Productivity Commission
(2004) found that housing land values on the urban fringes of Australian cities significantly
exceeded the opportunity cost of non-residential land. In the United States, Glaeser and Gyourko
(2003) found that restrictions on building in established areas are major causes of house price
inflation in US cities. In Sydney, three-quarters of new dwellings including units are in
established areas and the demand for housing is strongest in these areas. Thus, subject to
environmental constraints, to reduce house prices the governments should allow higher density
housing (a greater application of capital to land) in the established areas.
2.4. SUBSIDISING LOW-INCOME (EQUIVALISED) HOUSEHOLDS

Housing affordability is principally a household income problem, albeit made worse by
government failures over land supply, subsiding housing payments for low income homeowners
or renters is an appropriate policy. Subsidies should be provided directly to households in
greatest need and the households can in turn choose the form of housing that best suits their
needs. Of course, to be fully effective the housing subsidies would bring about an increase in
housing. If the housing supply is inelastic, the subsidies will simply increase aggregate demand
for housing and hence house prices. However, the subsidies will still benefit the low-income
households that most need housing assistance, albeit at the expense of households that would pay
more for housing.
2.5. SUBSIDIES FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN

INFRASTRUCTURE
Another policy that is popular with the housing industry is subsidies for land development and
subsidized
A REPORT public
ON LOW infrastructure.
COST HOUSING However, it is highly questionable whether this will reduce 12
house prices or housing costs.
3. APPROACH TO LOW COST HOUSING

Systematic planning in initial stage can save a lot of cost in housing. We can reduce 10% in cost
by proper planning of land, 10% in cost by efficient planning and design of individual building,
15% in cost by the use of alternative building materials and construction technology. This can
reduce the cumulative cost.
3.1. PLANNING OF LAND AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

Land is limited in earth, so managed used of land is compulsory. Everything we use in daily life
comes from the land. Without proper land policy, government cannot guarantee of food, eco-
friendly development, planned urbanization and managed human settlement. Haphazard use of
land mainly by real estate companies adversely affects the food security of people in city. It
increases land price rapidly and reduces agricultural products. So, living cost goes up
unexpectedly. To address that kind of problem government of Nepal promulgate land use policy
and currently every local bodies are following this policy. Land use policy is essentials to make
city hygienic, beautiful, well-facilitated and safe for human settlement. There are several types of
land like agricultural, residential, commercial, Industrial forest, public use and open spaces. Sub-
metropolitan is trying to separate these lands based on the central government policy; however, it
is not still much effective. In Dharan, basically Landin out of city is using for agricultural
production, for industrial use there is one industrial zone, but small enterprises cannot access on
the industrial zone because of criteria. In near future city will implement proper land use polic
Land use classification, Dharan Municipality
3.2. DESIGN
A REPORT OFCOST
ON LOW INDIVIDUAL
HOUSING BUILDING 13
3.3. USE OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
TECHNOLOGY
In agrarian country like Nepal, development of housing consumes a lot of fertile, agricultural
land thereby reducing the food product of the country. Hence, economization of land is
necessary not only for individual person but also to safeguard the annual food product of the
country.
The advantages of planning can be as follows:
 Economy in land area
 Economy in infrastructure cost
 Efficiency in maintenance
 Privacy between neighboring houses
 Easy to make land area smaller
 Better environment
4. BACKGROUND OF LOW COST HOUSING IN NEPAL

The 2058 B.S census indicates 90% of the families have their own shelter but half of those are
either temporary or in poor and non-habitable state which is mainly due to their low economic
condition and frequent natural calamities. Although the need of low cost and self-sustaining
housing was realized much earlier, the government has not implemented such project till date.
However, two major low cost housing projects have successfully been undertaken in
participation of local government bodies.
One of them being Lumanti housing in Kirtipur for which was developed as settlement program
for people displaced from Vishnumati bank during construction of Vishnumati link road while
other is in Pokhara. Although these projects have been successful they are rather insufficient and
are confined to urban areas only. Nonetheless they have laid the foundation for further
development. Such housing have been done with success in many countries including
neighboring India.
A good shelter till date, has been a commodity of only the economically able people of society.
The income of lower and middle income group is hardly enough to fulfill their daily requirement
of food and cloth. So in the present situation, where price of building materials and labor is
increasing their aim to own the permanent type of house is far from reality.
The act stated below allowed for Joint House Ownership for the first time in Nepal.
Ownership of Joint Housing Act, 2054 (1997)

Developing
A REPORT ON joint
LOWhousing and selling and distributing moderate housing units in an easily
COST HOUSING 14
accessible manner and to provide for the rights and obligations of the owners of such housing
units, in view of the existence of a situation that the urban habitants can be deprived of housing
facility due to increase in the price of land because of excessive population pressure on the urban
areas of Nepal.
4.1. PROBLEMS IN PRESENT HOUSING CONDITION

Rapid increase in population has caused increase in demand of dwelling units in urban areas like
Kathmandu valley. The main cause for rapid increase in population in urban areas can be
attributed industrialization, political situation and people coming in search of opportunities from
rural to urban area. The urban growth rate of Kathmandu Valley is 6.6% which is very high. 28%
of people in Kathmandu live in rental houses which have poor return of investment. Also living
in rent has its own set of problems like lack of services. 7.3% people live as squatters without
any permanent houses. In urban areas the reality of 'Slum Settlement' has always been a constant
challenge. Evicting their temporary houses is no solution; this will just move them from one
place to another. Although many housing and land development project are taking place rapidly
in urban areas like Kathmandu, none has addressed the need of housing for poor. The homeless
and economically weak people have to spend their entire life living without basic amenities like
water supply, drainage for standard living. They live in places where insanitary condition
prevails and diseases flourish. Such condition in turn contribute to other negative aspect
including but not limited to high rate of birth, literacy, juvenile crime and death. Giving a good
shelter will improve their health and make them more productive. Due to uncontrolled growth of
population, housing need among people has increased in geometric proportion. Building of
houses in haphazard way has led to loss of thousands of Ropani of agricultural land by reducing
the food production of the country. For instance, river basins of Vishnumati, Tukucha, and
Bagmati etc. are more suitable for agricultural farming than residential development. But all the
land of Tahachal, Bagbazar, Kupondal is being consumed for residential development. The
economic planning of land not only saves the huge amount of agricultural land from being
destroyed but it also solves the housing problem of the country as it enables to supply the smaller
adequate housing plots at cheaper rate. However, the major housing problems can be enlisted as:
 Durability
 Health and hygiene
 Natural disasters.
5. LOW COST MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY

The most important aspect of Low Cost Housing, particularly for the Poor IS to use the local
available and indigenous material. Proper and efficient use of building materials will result
reduction in the cost of the house considerably. It is always essential to study the local
conditions
A REPORTbefore weCOST
ON LOW decide which method of construction we should apply. The application of
HOUSING 15
low cost construction technology in urban areas or in the areas where all types of construction
materials like cement, iron rods etc. are easily available is quite different from that in rural areas
where such materials are not easily available or are very costly. In urban areas the main tools to
Low Cost is waste reduction in construction materials and labor by proper and efficient planning.
Comparative studies of different methods of design and construction are very essential and
the most efficient one must be chosen.
The drawbacks in the local materials should be eliminated or reduced by improving the local
construction technology or introducing modern science and technology so that the structures
constructed is stronger, more durable and more functional at affordable cost.
5.1 HOLLOW CEMENT CONCRETE BLOCK (HCCB)

Hollow cement block is a precast cement blocks with two large holes or cavities which are
generally open at top and bottom. For foundation normally blocks without cavities i.e. solid
blocks are used. This type of masonry is cheaper than brick masonry or RCC pillar. It facilitate
to provide iron rods at the required places and making it to function as frame structure with
higher moment of inertia and also withstand to the lateral forces like earthquake. During severe
earthquake only top portion of the wall structure will fall down normally. It has better insulation
against heat, cold and sound and thus gives better comfortable environment for living.The
dimension often used for hollow or solid cement blocks are:
Length: 400 mm
Height: 200 mm
Width: 200, 150, & 100 mm.
The actual size of the block will be 10 mm less to allow for
mortar thickness.
The advantages of hollow cement block masonry are:

 It is cheaper than the solid stone masonry block.
 Placing of vertical reinforcements are easier in hollow cement blocks.
 Because of the void or air space, the insulation is better than in solid
stone blocks.
 The handling of hollow blocks are easier because of its light weight.
 The work with this material is faster than solid blocks.
5.2 PARTIAL PRECAST SLAB PANELS AND PARTIAL PRECAST

BEAMS
Partial precast slab panels and partial precast beams are used for horizontal element i.e. roof and
floor construction. The beam with cast in situ concrete functions as Tee beam. Time is saved as
form work, ceiling plaster, curing is not required. Quality control is
easier as all the elements required for the slab are manufactured as
industrial products.
The detail of construction is as follows:
The partial pre cast panels of approximate size 1 M x 0.5 M are

casted. The dimension may vary and are fixed according to the site
of the room to be covered. Nominal steel rods are provided.
Normally 3 numbers of steel rods of 4.75 mm diameter in each
direction is sufficient for common live loads. In addition of these pre-cast panels, partial pre-cast
beams. The partial pre-cast panels are placed on the partial pre-cast beams. After fixing in
position the beams and panels, temperature reinforcements of 4.75 mm diameter are placed @ 35
cm in both directions with additional flange reinforcements of same diameter and same spacing
just over the beam. After everything is ready, 1" thick cast in situ cement concrete of ratio 1:2:4
is placed, thus maintaining monolith of panels with beams through protruding steel of the beam .
The beam with cast in situ concrete functions as Tee beam.
5.3 MASONRY PROJECTION FRAME FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS

Another major cost reduction factor is the use of special pre-
cast cement concrete blocks manufactured with hinges.
Masonry projection frame is used for doors and windows which
is cheaper by 85% than the wooden frame. This technology not
helps in reduction of cost but also helps to reduce the damage
to the environment. The common problems from timber frames
such as warping and sagging are also avoided.
5.4 PRECAST PANELS FOR TREAD OF

STAIRCASE
Staircase can be constructed either cast in situ or pre-cast. Pre-cast staircase is not only cheaper
but also gives many other advantages. In the case of cast-in-situ staircase, the work above the
staircase cannot continue without the completion of the work of staircase. So there is a break in
the continuity of work. But in case of pre-cast staircase no
such stoppage of work is necessary as one can continue the
work above staircase after placing the pre-cast steps in
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING position. 17
Pre-cast steps can be simply supported or cantilever.

Normally cantilever steps are used for smaller spans and in
the places which is used occasionally like going to the roof
terrace etc. The placing of iron rods and the identification
of its position is very important in pre-cast steps. For
identification the bottom surface of the steps shall be
finished smooth and the iron rods shall be placed
accordingly. During casting of steps, the iron rod shall be
placed at the bottom for cantilever steps and at the top far simply supported steps. The top
surfaces of both the steps shall be finished smooth during casting.
The pre-cast steps shall be cured wet for first two weeks and then dry for another two weeks.
After that the steps can be used in construction. It is important to note that the steps shall be
placed in position with the finished smooth surface at the bottom. The top surface will remain
rough so that. It can be finished in the field with the finishing materials like mosaic red oxide etc
as per the wish of the owner.
5.5 STABILIZED SOIL BLOCK COATED WITH WAX

Another important construction material is Stabilized soil block coated
with wax which is used for pavement in the terrace. The block is laid
over R.C.C. roof .It is not only cheaper than other floor finish but also makes the room below
more functional against scorching heat of summer and severe of winter.
6. DESIGNING MATERIALS OF LOW COST HOUSING
6.1 VERTICAL ELEMENTS

There are mainly two types of vertical elements extensively used in urban areas. They are:
1. R.C.C. Frame Structure or Pillar System

It is the most popular system used in Nepal. Even for two or three storey residential building,
RCC frame structure is used though they are costlier and less comfortable than the load bearing
wall structures.
2. Load Bearing Wall Structure

Load bearing wall structure is normally cheaper as well as more comfortable than the frame
structure up to 2 to 3 storeys high building. Most of them are strong enough to take the vertical
loads. But they are weak against the lateral forces like earthquake. This problem can however
can easily be solved by providing simple measures like vertical reinforcements at proper
positions, horizontal ties and the like on the load bearing walls. The common load bearing
masonry walls used in housing are:
 Brick Masonry Work
 Random Rubble Stone Masonry Work
 Stone Block Masonry
 Hollow Cement Block Masonry
Brick Masonry Work:

Brick Masonry are generally constructed in cement mortar. Some method to reduce the cost of
brick masonry are as follows:
 The cost of cement mortar is costlier than the cost of brick so uses bigger sized well
shaped brick as quantity of mortar consumed will be less.
 Thinner mortar is not only cheaper but also produces stronger masonry work. A 10mm
thick mortar gives 25% more strength than a 20mm thick mortar joint for the same brick
strength and mortar mix proportion.
 Filling of vertical joint in the brick work increases the strength considerably.
 Addition of lime to cement mortar increases workability which helps to reduce the
thickness of mortar joint and fill the vertical joint.
 Wetting of bricks before laying is necessary so that brick should not soak the water of the
mortar.
Brick masonry is cheap and has good insulation against heat, cold, sound, etc. The handling of
bricks is very easy and people are familiar with this material since the ancient times. But bricks
have many negative effects too which are:
 Productions of bricks consume the fertile top soil valuable for crops, thus reducing the
agriculture production of the country.
 Large quantities of fire wood are required to bake the bricks which in turn lead to the
destruction of forest.
 The smoke emitted by the brick factories cause air pollution in the vicinity of the brick
factory.
Stone masonry:
Stone is locally available in almost all parts of the country. Normally stone walls are made in the
form of random rubble with cement mortar. The problem with stone masonry is that the
thickness
A REPORT ofON
theLOW
wallCOST
is generally
HOUSING massive and consume too much mortar. So, the cost of stone is 19
generally very low but the cost of mortar is very high making the stone masonry work generally
expensive.
Stone Block Masonry:

To reduce the thickness of the wall and the quantity of mortar pre-cast stone block masonry have
been developed. These blocks can easily be produced at the construction site with semi-skilled
workers and require no machineries. The dimension of the stone blocks is kept as 30 cm. and 15
cm. as length and height with three widths as 20 cm..15cm. and 10cm. The mix proportion is
kept as 1:3:6 or 1:4:7 or 1:5:8, depending upon the strength required. Normally the mix
proportion of 1:5:8 with a slump of 15 to 20 mm gives the strength of 60 kg/cm2 which is
adequate for most of the load bearing wall structures. The proportions of sand is increased
slightly to provide better finish to the blocks.
The advantages of load bearing stone block masonry are:
 The wall thickness can be reduced to 15 or 20 cm. from 40 cm. or more thereby saving in
cubic contents of materials.
 Due to the reduction of the wall thickness, larger usable floor area will be available.
 The consumption of mortar which is costlier than the stone is considerably low.
 Skilled man power is not necessary for constructing masonry wall as the blocks are
uniform in size and shape.
 The inner wall surface which is normally plastered is plain and even. So the thickness
required for cement plaster is much less thereby making considerable economy in
cement consumption.
 Vertical reinforcements for seismic forces can be placed at special holes provided in the
pre-cast stone masonry block, making the wall not only cheaper but also stronger.
 This type of building material is environmentally friendlier than the brick.
6.2. HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS

Floor and roof are the common horizontal element of the building and reinforced cement
concrete is the common materials of construction for both of them. R.C.C. work can be done in
three different ways viz.
1. Cast-in-situ
2. Pre-cast system
3. Partial pre-cast system
Cast-in-situ:
Almost all the construction work in Nepal is done by this method. Form work is very costly in
R.C.C. works. To reduce the cost of form work, most of the contractors use very low quality and
later ceiling plaster requires to be very thick which increases the cost. Iron work is yet another
costlier item used in R.C.C. system. Since cement concrete is hand mixed, uniform mixing is not
obtained.
A REPORT So,ON
theLOW
strength
COSTof the such concrete will be less than half of what a normal good
HOUSING 20
concrete should have, resulting a very uneconomical concrete construction.
Pre-Cast R.C.C Works

The defects of cast in situ system can be eliminated in pre-fabrication system. All the building
elements are manufactured in the factory and later assembled in the site. Some advantages are:
 All the building components are manufactures in the controlled way.

 This system employ standardized components whose design can be optimized employing
sophisticated methods so that the consumption of scarce materials are reduced to a
minimum.
 The manufacture of building elements is repetitive work. So, skilled man power is not
necessary, resulting cost reduction in labor.
 Repetitive works means mass production resulting cost reduction.
 Form work is completely eliminated.
 Pre-fabricated elements are generally produced with the finished surface. So, cement
plastering is not required.
 Construction time can be reduced considerably.
Its defects are:

 The initial investment for pre-cast construction is quite high.
 Unless there are optimum demand of pre-cast construction in the market to rum the
factory, the pre-cast construction may not be cheaper.
 The size and shape of the building are controlled by the standard sized pre-case element.
 That means there is no flexibility in the design works
Partial pre-cast R.C.C. works:

This system consists of composite construction comprising the use of both pre-cast units as well
as cast in situ. In this system the bottom half of the structural member are pre-cast and top half
are laid with cast in situ concrete. The partial pre cast panels of approximate size 1mx0.5m are
casted. Normally 3 number of steel rods of 4.75 mm diameter in each direction are sufficient for
common live loads. The partial pre-cast panels are placed on the partial pre-cast beams. The
advantages are:
 All the benefits present in the pre-cast system such as saving in construction time, cost
reduction, saving in labor particularly skilled manpower etc. exist in this system also.
 It is not necessary to establish a big factory to produce the partial pre-cast elements. Only
few steel forms and one or two vibrator are enough for medium sized housing scheme.
 Expensive equipment like crane is not necessary.
 As the elements are manufactured at site, transportation cost is fully saved.
 Standardization of pre-cast element is not necessary as pre-casting is done manually and
any length of pre-cast element that is required can be casted in the form.
 It is cheaper approximately by 35% than the conventional cast in situ R.C.C. works.
Waffle Slab:
The main principle of waffle slab is similar to the slab with closely spaced ribs. It is seen that in
solid slab a portion of concrete below neutral axis, remain ineffective, contributing nothing to the
bending strength of the slab. It is therefore possible to eliminate concrete from such tensile zones
thereby reducing the dead weight of the slab without affecting its structural stability.
The waffle slab is not cheaper than the normal slab of moderate span and is not proposed for low
income and middle income group housing. But the proposed technology is cost effective for
those areas where the waffle slab is necessary and useful like lobby, conference halls,
community centers, etc. and in some higher group housing.
6.3 DOORS AND WINDOWS
Doors and windows are the important constituent of the building which consumes approximately
15 to 20% of the cost of the building. With proper planning this cost can easily be reduced by 5
to 10% and further reduction is possible with the use of alternative building material. The
minimum opening required for light and ventilation should be given which reduces the cost
considerably. The window is designed for the room taking 15% of the floor area as opening.
Window panels are made fixed unless open able is required. Due to the steep rise of timber, the
cost of doors and windows are becoming out of reach of common people. A R.C.C. chaukot
costs only 1/3rd that of its wooden counterpart and it is environmentally friendlier. As the
function of frame is mainly to hold shutter in position, masonry projection, plastered in the shape
of chaukot can do this function. For this, a special pre-cast cement concrete brick with hinges are
necessary. During masonry construction a 4” and 2” projection is made all round the opening.
Two special bricks of cement concrete with hinges are placed where we need hinges at the
chaukot. The projected parts is then plastered and the conventional shutter is fixed. As it is
monolithic with the masonry, there will be no crack between the chaukot and masonry wall.
There is no problem of sagging and warping like in timber chaukot.
The next cheap materials for doors and windows is Ferro-cement. The cost of this type of door is
only 1/6th that of its wooden counterpart. The door shutter is main spinal rod of 16 mm dia. In
the periphery of the shutter. Wire mesh is fixed in the iron rod by binding wire. The mortar of
cement, sand and 1/4th stone chips in the proportion of 1:2:3 is applied over the wire mesh. The
periphery and the central stiffener of the shutter will between 3” wide and 11/2” thick and the
other inner areas ¾ “thick. The shutter is cured for 15 days and then fixed with 16m dia. Rod
pivoted in a ball bearing at the bottom. Such ferro-cement door do not need frame.
7.A LITERATURE
REPORT ON LOW COSTREVIEW
HOUSING 22
Rapid increase in population has caused increase in demand of dwelling units in urban areas like
Kathmandu valley. The main cause for rapid increase in population in urban areas can be
attributed industrialization, political situation and people coming in search of opportunities from
rural to urban area. The urban growth rate of Kathmandu Valley is 6.6 percent which is very
high.
28% of people in Kathmandu live in rental houses which has poor return of investment. Also
living in Rent has it's own set of problems like lack of services etc. 7.3% people live as squatters
with out any permanent houses.
In urban areas the reality of 'Slum Settlement' has always been a constant challenge. Evicting
their temporary houses is no solution. This will just move them from one place to another.
Although many housing and land development project are taking place rapidly in urban areas
like Kathmandu, none has addressed the need of housing for poor. The homeless and
economically weak people have to spend their entire life living without basic amenities like
water supply, drainage for standard living. They live in places where insanitary condition prevail
and diseases flourish. Such condition in turn are contribute to other negative aspect including but
not limited to high rate of birth, literacy, juvenile crime and death. Giving a good shelter will
improve their health and make them more productive.
Due to uncontrolled growth of population, housing need among people has increased in
geometric proportion. Building of houses in haphazard way have led to loss of thousand of
ropanees of agricultural land there by reducing the food product of the country. For instant river
basins of Vishnumati, Tukucha, Bagmati etc are more suitable for agricultural farming than
residential development. But all the land of Tahachal, Bagbazar, Kopundal is being consumed
for residential development.
7.1. CASE STUDIES NEPAL
7.1.1. KHORIYA BASTI -15
We conduced our case-study for deigning low cost housing for squatter’s communities in dharan. Our
site for case-study is located in dharan-15 khoriya basti.

CASE-STUDY 1
Detailed Study:
BRIEFLY
The first house in squatter communities we visited was RCC Structure with Truss roof. There building
was single storied. There was 4 room. Plinth Area of the building was about 1822.5 Sq feet . Altogether
there were 5 family member: Father, Mother , 2 Daughter and a Son. Overall earning of the family was
governed by their younger daughter who was working as foreign employment and their younger son, who
was working as Nepal army. According to them, monthly income of their family was about Rs 20,000.
Their average monthly expenditure was about 5000 on food and other kitchen utilities. Their monthly
saving data was not available. They had pit latrine outside of their house. All the solid wastages from
house and kitchen were burnt and disposed. Liquid wastages from kitchen was disposed to the drainage
on the side of road. They have private tap water system and water provided by Nepal drinking water
corporation.
They were using LPG gas for cooking. Sometimes to also use fire woods collected from nearby forest.
According to them, Government of nepal did some help for their betterment but most of the
developmental work were done by the involvement of the community.
CASE-STUDY 2
Detailed Study:
BRIEFLY
The Second house in squatter communities we visited was RCC Structure with Truss roof. There building
was single storied. There was 5 room. Plinth Area of the building was about 768 Sq feet . Altogether there
were 4 family member: Father(dead) , Mother and 3 Son. Overall earning of the family was governed by
their elder son who was political leader . According to them, monthly income of their family was about
Rs 30,000. Their average monthly expenditure was about 15000 on food and other kitchen utilities. Their
monthly saving data was not available. They had pit latrine outside of their house. All the solid wastages
from house and kitchen were burnt and disposed. Liquid wastages from kitchen was collected and
disposed. They have private tap water system and water provided by Nepal drinking water corporation.
They were using LPG gas for cooking. According to them, Government of Nepal did some help for their
betterment but most of the developmental work were done by the involvement of the community.
CASE-STUDY 3
Detailed Study:
BRIEFLY
The third house in squatter communities we visited was RCC Structure with Truss roof. There building
was single storied. There was 4 room. Plinth Area of the building was about 2369.25 Sq feet . Altogether
there were 8 family member: Father , Mother , 4 daughter and 2 Son. Overall earning of the family was
governed by the mother herself by making local wine , rakshi etc at their own house. Father was ex Indian
army and he used to pension of about 20,000 per month. According to them, monthly income of their
family was about Rs 26,000. Their average monthly expenditure was about 15000 on food and other
kitchen utilities. Their monthly saving data was about Rs2000-3000. They had pit latrine outside of their
house. All the solid wastages from house and kitchen were burnt and disposed. Liquid wastages from
kitchen was disposed to nearby drainage. They have private tap water system and water provided by
Nepal drinking water corporation.
They were using LPG gas for cooking. Sometimes they also use fire wood as cooking fuel collected from
nearby forest.According to them, Government of nepal did some help for their betterment but most of the
CASE-STUDY 4
Detailed Study:
BRIEFLY
The Fourth house in squatter communities we visited was made of bamboo and mud with thatched roof.
There building was single storied. There was 2 room. Plinth Area of the building was about 2460.37 Sq
feet . Altogether there were 7 family member: Father , Mother , 5 daughter. Overall earning of the family
was governed by their father who was working as labor. According to them, monthly income of their
family was about Rs 30,000. Their average monthly expenditure was about 15000 on food and other
kitchen utilities. Their monthly saving data was about Rs6000. They had pit latrine outside of their house.
All the solid wastages from house and kitchen were burnt and disposed. Liquid wastages from kitchen
was disposed to nearby drainage. They have private tap water system and water provided by Nepal
drinking water corporation.
They were using LPG gas for cooking. Sometimes they also use fire wood as cooking fuel collected from
nearby forest.According to them, Government of nepal did some help for their betterment but most of
the developmental
CASE-STUDY 5
Detailed Study:
BRIEFLY
The fifth house in squatter communities we visited was RCC Structure with thatched roof. There
building was single storied. There was 7 room. Plinth Area of the building was about 1275.75 Sq feet .
Altogether there were 5 family member: Father , Mother , 2 Daughter and a Son. Overall earning of the
family was governed by the mother who was from the shop and the father was working as a driver .
According to them, monthly income of their family was about Rs 30,000. Their average monthly
expenditure was about 15000 on food and other kitchen utilities. Their monthly saving data was rs 2000-
3000. They had pit latrine outside of their house. All the solid wastages from house and kitchen were
burnt and disposed. Liquid wastages from kitchen was disposed to the drainage on the side of road. They
have private tap water system and water provided by Nepal drinking water corporation.
They were using LPG gas for cooking. Sometimes to also use fire woods collected from nearby forest.
According to them, Government of nepal did some help for their betterment but most of the
7.1.2. KARMACHARI SANCHAYA KOSH HOUSING, POKHARA

Location : Pardi, Pokhara
Initiation : By Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh along with Architects collaboration
Site area : 1.6 Hecatre
Targeted group : Provident fund members of Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh/ LIG
Access : Easy vehicular access/ parallel to the main road
Planning : Row housing in a cluster system respect to the site shape with road axis
parallel to site. Proper planning of land (80 units per hector) reduces
cost by 40%. Efficient planning of individual building reduces the price
by 15%. Effective management and proper use of building materials
reduces cost by 20%.
Building type : LIG- 34 units, plinth area - 371 sq. ft

G.F. - A living room, dining/kitchen and a
store room
F.F. - Two bedrooms and a bathroom.
LMIG- 28 units, plinth area -479 sq. ft

G.F. - A living room, dining, kitchen and a
store room
F.F. - Three bedrooms and a bathroom.
MIG- 50 units, plinth area -476 sq. ft

G.F. - A living room, kitchen cum
dining, guest room and a
bathroom
F.F. - Three bedrooms and a bathroom.
Facilities : Different open

spaces acts as a spot for social
interaction as well as life
protection
center during natural disasters like earthquake, fire etc.
A corner running parallel of North-south axis is allocated as parking area.
A plot in southern corner used for a primary school.
Commercial area is provided in the frontal area parallel to the road.
Housing units for different income groups placed in separate zone.
Use of large open spaces at the entrance breaks the monotonous density.
Good network of road within the site which minimizes the traffic
congestion.
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING Basic amenities within 1km radii 30
Services : Electricity and water supply have been provided from Nepal electricity
authority and Nepal khane Pani Sansthan. The branch roads with drainage
system running parallel to its site.
Socio-economic : Most of the residents are service holders

Building material : Hollow cement block masonry for vertical members.
For horizontal members cast-in-situ and pre-cast members were used in
composite. Masonry projection frame is used for openings.
Disadvantage : No final finishing done. Final products look quite dull.

Selling of houses is not done effectively i.e. not to them who really
deserves.
7.1.3. KIRTIPUR HOUSING

Location : Paliphal-6, Kirtipur
Initiated : By KMC, Urban community support fund (UCSF), The slum dwellers,
International, Bhawan Bibhag, UN Habitat, Action Aid, Water aid, Asian
coalition for housing rights (ACHR) and Astra development Pvt. Ltd
Site area : 5-1-1-1.09
Topography : Gentle slope towards the north
Panorama : Surrounded by Chobar hill and green field plus Kirtipur town
Streetscapes : Revival of traditional streetscape of the valley
Boundary : Surrounded by farming land, brick wall around the site
Amenities : Schools, medical, facilities, market area within 1Km radii
Target Group : LIG
Features : Government provided the
subsidized land
Central courts for social interaction.
Frame structure building.
Individual building receive
sunlight and have small semi
open space.
Environmentally sustained housing.
Tol Sudhar Samiti -the social
management.
Planning : Compact master

planning with cluster &
row housing system.
Built up area: < 50 %
Greenery- 28.58%
Pathway- 23.09%
Total no. of units: 51
Type 1 : No. of units: 20

Plinth area : 263.58 sq ft
Building cost:Rs. 3,30,000/unit
G.F. -Living room, Kit/Dining, toilet and internal courtyard
F.F. - 2 Bedrooms
Type 2 : No. of units: 31
Plinth area : 311.11 sq ft
Building cost: Rs. 3, 50,000/unit
G.F. - Living room, Kit/Dining, toilet, shower and internal courtyard
F.F. - 2 Bedrooms
Services : Water supply: Rainwater harvesting & well

Sewage Disposal: 2 Septic tank systems
Electricity: System/ Back up: NEA
Street Lighting: no
Security: no security provided
Building Materials : Brick, timber, Steel staircase, CGI roof with metal truss
Socio-Economic Analysis : The average income - Rs.5000 per month.
Most of them are Dalit and low caste Newars.
Architectural Expression : Designed with simpler facade.

Exposed brick.

7.2. CASE STUDY ON ARCHITECT AND LOW COST HOUSING OF
SAARC COUNTRIES
7.2.1. LAURIE BAKER:

Laurence Wilfred "Laurie" Baker (2 March 1917 – 1 April 2007) was a
British-born Indian architect, renowned for his initiatives in cost-
effective energy-efficient architecture and for his unique space
utilization and simple but aesthetic sensibility. Influenced by Mahatma
Gandhi, he sought to incorporate simple designs with local materials
and achieved fame with his approach to sustainable architecture as well
as in organic architecture. He is known as "Gandhi of architecture".
What was supposed to be a temporary job in the remote isolated leper

colony in inland china became a four-year stay. Baker finally returned
to England thinking of taking up a life as an architect now that the war
was over. One day while on a walk through the city he happened to see
a board that said, "Mission to Lepers". Baker's interest and curiosity
were aroused, especially as he had just spent a considerable amount of
time dealing with leprosy. He decided to go in and see what it was all
about. He spent a few hours in this nondescript building learning more about the Mission and its
goals. By the time he came out he had made a life changing decision: he had agreed to go to
India!
Thus he moved to India in 1945 and continued to live and work in India for over 50 years. He
became an Indian citizen in 1989 and resided in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala from
1963 and founded COSTFORD (Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development), an
organization to promote low-cost housing.
Sustainability and green building are now catchwords of the 21st century, but architect Laurie
Baker was living these concepts at the inception of WWII in China and eventually during his six
decades in India. Baker operated more as a master builder with affinity for hands-on involvement
at sites rather than an office-confined architect. He was also a talented artist and cartoonist with a
ready wit and willingness to expose nonsense in the building world and, indeed, the world in
general.
There are thousands of Baker-inspired buildings – public and private – continuing to be built.
Cost ford's cost-effective architecture now carries forward the philosophical and technological
heritage crafted by Baker. His last project in Vilappilsala now houses the Laurie Baker Centre
for Habitat Studies providing both hands-on training in the building technologies he promoted
and professional training in his design and construction philosophy for architects and those
interested in alternative ways to craft built environments.
He has designed and built a dance village, computer institutes, fishermen's huts, chapels and
churches, factories, schools, film studios, orphanages, tourist resorts, residences, technical
institutes, earthquake and tsunami resistant houses, leprosy homes, a Literacy Village, hostels,
slum dwellings improvement, an ornithology centre, government buildings, a blind children's
international school and a museum. In Kerala alone, he has built over 2000 buildings. He has
also done pioneering work into earthquake and tsunami proof housing.
Baker became well known for designing and building low cost, high quality, beautiful homes,
with a great portion of his work suited to or built for lower-middle to lower class clients. His
buildings tend to emphasize prolific – at times virtuosic – masonry construction, instilling
privacy and evoking history with brick jali walls, a perforated brick screen which invites a
natural air flow to cool the buildings' interior, in addition to creating intricate patterns of light
and shadow. Another significant Baker feature is irregular, pyramid-like structures on roofs, with
one side left open and tilting into the wind. Baker's designs invariably have traditional Indian
sloping roofs and terracotta Mangalore tile shingling with gables and vents allowing rising hot
air to escape. Curved walls enter Baker's architectural vocabulary as a means to enclose more
volume at lower material cost than straight walls, and for Laurie, "building [became] more fun
with the circle."
Baker so often used to be seen rummaging through salvage heaps looking for suitable building
materials, door and window frames, sometimes hitting a stroke of luck as evidenced by the
intricately carved entry to the Chitralekha Film Studio : a capricious architectural element found
in a junk heap.
His philosophies:
I have my own principles, which I am unwilling to abandon. I dislike falsehood and deceit. A
building should be truthful."
"They don’t have faith in their own material."
The latter one is very famous and can help in the

reduction of cost of building. This saying
inspires to use the local material and preserves
the vernacular architecture of the place.
7.2.2. ARANYA LOW-COST HOUSING

•Location - 6km from the centre of Indore city, M.P.
• Client- Indore Development Authority
•Principal Architect - Balkrishna Doshi
•Project Associate - Mr. Himanshu Parikh
• Structural Engineer - M/s Stein Doshi & Bhalla, New Delhi
•Project Engineers –Environmental Engineering Consultants, Bombay
•Total Built-up Area -100,000 m2
•Project Cost - Rs. 100 Million
•Year of completion - 1989
•Award - Aga Khan award for Architecture in 1996
Objectives:
• To improve and upgrade the existing slum area
• To provide serviced sites for new housing developments instead of building complete houses.
• To provide for 6,500 residential plots ranging in size from 35m2 for EWS to 475m2 for high
income groups
• Create a township with a sense of continuity and fundamental values of security in a good
living environment.
• Achieve a community character by establishing harmony between the built environment and
the people.
• Create a balanced community of various socio-economic groups to evolve a framework
through
design.
Financial Aspects:
• The idea was to mix some middle income plots with EWS plots to use the profits to raise
capital towards development of local trades.
• Funding – 100% public sources.
Characteristics:
• Mixed and multiple land use
• Formation of small neighborhoods and houses extending to the outdoors.
• Small shops operating within congested areas.
• Trees planted in public places
• Streets accommodating social, economic and domestic activities.
7.2.3. SHIGERU BAN'S NEPALESE EMERGENCY SHELTERS

Shigeru Ban Architects released images of their first emergency shelter prototype designed

for Nepal. Planned to be built by the end of August, the simple shelter is designed to be easily
assembled by almost anyone. Using connecting modular wooden frames (3ft x 7ft or 90cm x
210cm), salvaged rubble bricks are used to infill the wall's cavities while paper tube trussing
supports the roof. This, as Shigeru Ban says, will allow for "quick erection and nearly immediate
inhabitation."
The shelter, a project envisioned through Ban's humanitarian organization Volunteer Architects
Network (VAN), is comprised of a series of modular structural frames with windows and doors
and walls made of rubble brick.
7.2.5. COST HOUSING IN PAKISTAN
• Rapid expansion of Urbanization in developing countries has led to severe shortage of housing.
• Lack of necessary assets and financial backing for majority of population, stumbling blocks in
acquiring a decent house.
• Such a situation increasingly leads to creation of unwanted city-view, city life spoilers like
shanty towns, squatter colonies and roadside settlements.
•A REPORT
Such typesONof LOW COST HOUSING
impoverished settlements 36
also spawn health epidemics besides
becoming hotbeds of corruption, crime
and disease for engulfing societies. Al-
Manzil Builders & Developers aims
to change all this promising to usher in a
new era of low-cost housing for the poor
and the low-
income groups.
• Garnering of key financial support from
Project Sponsors, Governmental and Semi
Governmental Agencies, Housing
Bodies, Professional Associations involved with low-cost
housing for the poor.
• Drawing up of Project Plans, building, constructing low-cost housing, marketing the Project,
leading to delivery of the low-cost housing units to the end-user.
8. SELECTION OF LOW COST
BUILDING MATERIAL
Manufacturing of Low Cost Building Materials
 Environmental friendly
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING  Improve technologies for production 37
 Reduction in waste generation
Use of Recycled Waste as Building Materials
 Waste produced can be used for the
production of a material cheaper in cost
Use of Natural Low Cost Building Materials
 Natural materials are sustainable and environmental friendly
 Materials like stone , wood ,lime ,bamboo ,sand have low embodied energy
Use of Local Building Materials
 Reduces transportation dependence
 Suitable for local environment
Use of non-toxic Building Materials
 Materials to be free from any kind of toxins
 Higher air cycling required if any highly organic volatile compounds are used
Longevity, Durability and Maintenance
 Use of durable construction materials decreases the maintenance cost
 Low maintenance cost saves a lot of building operating costs
Recyclability and Reusability
 In a form so that it can be recycled or reused. Eg.Plastics
Biodegradability
 Decompose naturally when discarded
 Not produce toxic gases while decomposition
Building Materials Natural

• Random Straw or Coconut Fibres Stabilised Soil
• Bamboo
• Compressed Earth Block
• Non –erodible Mud Plaster
• Straw
• Fibre Cement Composites
• Bagasse Composite boards
Man Made
• Fly Ash
• Coal Washery Rejects
• Aerocon Panels
• Ferro Cement
8.1 Natural
Random straw or Coconut Fibres Stabilised Soil
• Ancient construction material used in many countries
• Have both strength and durability
•A REPORT ON
Compacted LOW COST HOUSING
material 38
• 1% of straw increases the strength by three time as
compared to no straw
• Coconut fibres increases the durability
• Sulphur coating enhances the water resistance
Bamboo
• India is the largest producer,50% of world
production
• Easily affordable
• Easy assembly and long durability
• High tensile strength, than steel
• Fire resistant unto 4000 deg C
• High elasticity hence used in earthquake prone
areas
• Low weight –easy for transportation and
assembly
Compressed Earth Block

• Raw earth stabilised by cement or lime
• Also known as Adobe bricks ,light in weight
• Non toxic
• Fire resistant ,Sound resistant
• Low transportation cost
• Insect resistant as they are very dense
• Available in customizable sizes
• Used in stucco work for exteriors
Non-erodible Mud Plaster

• Economical process of preventing mud Walls from erosion
• Mud mixed with bitumen and kerosene oil
• Resistant to water
Straw
• Fire resistant
• Thermal insulation
• Soil and Moisture insulation
• Non toxic
Life Extended
A REPORT Thatch
ON LOW Roofing
COST HOUSING 39
• Treating with copper sulphate solution decreases the
biodegradability
• Treatment of roof surface with phosphorylated spray or
CNSL oil imparts - water proofing, termite resistance,
fire resistance, weathering resistance
Improved Thatched Roofing

• CBRI advise to add mud platers in between to increase
fire and water resistance
Fibre Cement Composites
• Natural fibre used with cement as an alternative building material

• Fibres used like bagasse , cereal straw, corn and cotton stalk ,kenalf /rice husk
Imparts
 Light weight
 High strength to weight ratio
 Corrosion resistance
 High fracture toughness
 High flexibility
 Resistance to cracking
 Add workability
Bagasse Cement- Boards and Panels

• Fibrous matter after sugar is extracted
• Sugarcane bagasse and Portland cement is
mixed
• High density boards
Bagasse PVC Boards

• Sugarcane bagasse and PVC is mixed as a binder
• Inherent self extinguishing property
• Used in door shutters, sanitary fixtures, pipes, cable,
cabinets
Jute and Coir
• Widely available in India
Coir-CNSL Board
 Used for window and door shutter, partitioning,
false ceiling, furniture etc.
 Single layer flat pressed medium density board
 LowON
A REPORT water
LOWabsorption, workable with wood tools
COST HOUSING 40
 Paintable, pre laminable, screw able
Coir-CNSL Thermal Insulation Board

 Coconut fibres as reinforcing material
 CNSL as natural binder
 Low density for moderate thermal insulation
Jute-Coir Composites
 Economic alternative for wood
 Eg- coir ply boards with jute face veneer,
coir plus waste rubber inside.
Coconut and Wooden Chips Roofing Chips

 Coconut fibres and wooden chips soaked
in water for 2 hours and then drained
offMixed with cement and layed over
corrugated mould kept under pressure for
8-10 hours CNSL oil can also be used as
a natural binder.
8.2 Man Made
Fly Ash
Mineral residue after burning burning coal and fine glass
Constitutes of silica, alumina and iron
Fly Ash Bricks

Class C fly ash and water
Due to high calcium oxide its self cementing
Energy efficient
Lower water penetration, light weight, thermal insulation
Coal Washery Rejects Bricks
• Left over after fluidised bed combustion
• Uses water and reduces air and land pollution
• Energy efficient
• Red mud, coal ash, etc from large scale industries can be
used
• These are mixed with lime pozollona and cement to form
bricks
Aerocon Panels
• Inorganic bonded sandwich panels
• 2 fibre cement sheets engulfing a Portland cement
mix with fibres of
silica's and micaceous aggregates
• Light weight, thermal insulation, fire and
sound resistant
• Termite and weather resistant
• Suitable for seismic or cyclone prone
zones
Ferro cement
• Thin walled versatile high strength
cement based composite material
• Cement mortar reinforced with 2-3 layers
of wire mesh
• Light weight high strength
Plaster
Fibre Reinforced clay plaster

Natural or artificial fibre(polypropylene)
Achieve better sticking properties
Less Brittles
Calcium Silicate Plaster
Derived from Wollanstonite naturally
occurring calcium silicate
Does not emit VOC or any other harmful
gases
Gives a smooth finish
Roofing
Bamboo Matt Roofing Corrugated Sheets
 Better than clay and Mangalore tiles
 Preferred for semi permanent structures
9. LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT AT KHORIA BASTI-15

This project was given to us as a group exercise in planning under low cost housing. The Khoria
housing project is a king of low cost housing targeted to the LIG,LMIG and EWS. The project
basically seeks for the well-planned residential neighborhood in Khoria.
9.1 ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT SITE

Site always play a vital role for the setting of important building. Every site has a particular
A REPORT
output. ONfactors
So the LOW COST
whichHOUSING
have to be considered should go directly with the requirements and 42
nature of building. The selection of the site is done according to the feasibility of low cost
housing. After several visits to the site and group discussion, its important factors are analyzed
and discussed below:
Physical Features
a) Location
Site location : Dharan Municipality
Climate : Warm temperate
The site is located in quite and peaceful suburban area. The
site covers the total area of 100 ropani out of which 10
ropani is taken for low cost housing. It is about 1.5 km.
away from the existing main road. The site has a lot of
potential values like easy accessibility from Sahidratna
marga, Panmara.
b) Topography
The site is totally agriculture land. It has plain terrain

ranging.
d) Surroundings
As the site is located in suburban area, it has a little peaceful environment. Lots of land areas are
been utilized for agricultural purpose. The site is not negatively affected by views, dust, smoke,
fumes and zoning restrictions. Following features can be found around the site.
e) Approach Roads
The major approach road to the site is the main road leading to Panmara. This road can be also
accessed from different areas. The major road has good transportation services of tempos, local
bus, bike etc.
Social Features
The majority of the population is economically weaker society that has been under caste
discrimination from past several years, whose culture, life style and economy is shaped by
traditional agricultural practice. Very few settlements of Chhettris, Brahmins, others ethnic
group and majority of Rai & Limbu can be seen. Extended family structures are changing over to
nuclear families creating demands for new housing units. Majority of the sample population
(79%) believe in Hindu religion. However, a significant population (10%) follows Christinity
religion and remaining Kirati religion. Although the number of illiterate population in the project
area is very few, large no of population has hardly completed primary level education.
Economical Features
The only about 50 percent population of the study area are fully employed, who are engaged in
agriculture (19%), labor works (4.3%), service (15.3%) and trade/industry (6.8%) and other
occupation (1.7%). Basic services and other necessary civic amenities like schools, hospitals,
market etc are scarcely available. Studies of these factors are discussed below-
a) School
There is only one secondary level school located in the vicinity. However, the school is
only functioning from various aids of the previous students.
b) Hospital
Few health posts are present at the site. People of the site have to travel a long way to
BPKIHS even for basic first aid like health facilities.
c)Transportation
The main access road lies in east-west major axis part which connects the site with the
Panmara area. A tempoo, local bus seems to pass by during day.
Water supply
Majority of the population in the sample area use private tap . A handful of the
population use other various means like water supply from ADB and Nepal khanepani.
c) Electricity
The site is well facilitated with the electricity lines at the surroundings from NEA.
d) Telephone
Telephone, modern day requirement for every individual has also been another facility
experienced by the locality.
e) Waste management/sewerage:
Due to agrarian life style about 60% of the waste generated in the project area is
agricultural by products and kitchen waste. There is no effective solid waste disposal and
management system in place and local community usually disposes solid waste in pits or
into roadside drain (storm drains) or in the river close to the settlement or either burnt.
The biodegradable
A REPORT waste is either fed to the livestock or used as farmyard manure after in
ON LOW COST HOUSING 44
house composting.
f) Market
Being in the suburban areas, there is market center nearby, retail shops like the grocery,
stationary goods, and other daily goods. Bhanu chowk is the main market center for the
people which is 3 km away.
9.2 BYELAWS
According to the old byelaws of Nepal, 2.5 anna land was enough for construction of 1 house but
now that the byelaws have changed, 4 anna of plot is minimum for building construction. Since
our target groups cannot afford to buy 4 anna of land individually, we are trying to merge 2, 3
plots into 1 so that they add up to 4 anna cumulatively. We have introduced joint ownership for
the land for this low cost housing.
Since the above mentioned facility is a special provision, special ordinance has to be provided
for this. The target groups have to talk with lawyers for joint ownership of land for low cost
housing.
Selection of site for farm building
For construction of farm buildings selection of site is most important. Before selecting a site the
following points are to be considered,
Soil
Soil must be suitable for strong foundation, Marcy, clay, sandy, rock soils are not suitable,
Loamy and gravely soils are best suited for building construction.
Farm
At least 2-3 acre land is required for 200 cows accommodation.
For 2 cows 1-acre land is essential for fodder production.
Drainage system
Proper drainage of rain and subsoil water should be provided to keep healthy environment and to
protect the building from dampness.
Protection from wind and solar radiation
If the farm building in open or exposed area, the wind breaks in the farm of tall quick growing
trees should be grown near the building,this will reduce the wind velocity and solar radiation.
Protection from noise and other disturbance
The farm site should be away from noise producing factory/chemical industry, sewage disposing
area.
The industrial
A REPORT ONeffluents
LOW COSTin the form of gaseous or liquid may pollute surrounding resources.
HOUSING 45
Noise is also found to affect the animal production. Hence the farm should be away from city.
Transport facility
The farm buildings should be provided with good road and also have the accessibility to reach
the market.
Orientation
The farm housing can be constructed facing road; other buildings may be turned at an angle to
road or reversed to take advantage of the prevailing wind and sunlight.
In general animal sheds are located with long axis east to west the paddock side facing the north
to get direct sunlight during winter and to prevent entry of direct sunlight into the shed during
other seasons
9.3 TARGET GROUPS

9.3.1. LOW MIDDLE INCOME GROUP (LMIG):
For the current fiscal year, lower middle-income groups are those with a GNI per capita,
calculated using the World Bank Atlas method, between $996 and $3,895. Lower middle class
refers to households and individuals who are somewhat educated and usually stably employed,
but who have not attained the education, occupational prestige, or income of upper middle
class.
9.3.2. LOW INCOME GROUP (LIG):
Low-income groups are defined as those with a GNI per capita of $995 or less in 2017.
9.3.3. ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS (EWS):

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) is a term used to refer to those citizens or households
with income below a certain threshold level. Though there may be other economic factors in
deciding on the economic weakness of the citizen/household, income is the dominant criterion.
9.4. LOW COST HOUSING UNITS

LMIG:
Family Members: 6 (2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 children)
No. of rooms: 6 (1 living room, 1 kitchen, 1 bedroom for Grandparents, 1 bedroom for parents, 1
bedroom for son and 1 bedroom for daughter)
LIG:
Family Members: 5 (1 grandparent, 2 parents, 2 children)
No. of rooms: 4 (1 room for living room or grandparents’ room, 1 room for kitchen, 1 bedroom
for parents and 1 bedroom for son/daughter,)
EWS:
Family Members: 4 (2 parents, 2 child)
No. of rooms: 33 (1 room for kitchen and living and 1 bedroom)
9.5. LESSON LEARNT

A REPORTONLow
LOWcost
COSThousing = cost effective housing = affordable housing
HOUSING 46
 the structure with necessary infrastructure with social demand is known as housing
 Cost conscious design is required in each stage and comparative studies of alternative
building materials construction technologies is essential in each stage
 Need to promote local resources and improve their qualities
 Need to promote the low cost construction technology
 Prefabrication in housing can greatly speed up construction
 Low cost housing is not only for low income group.
 Low cost housing can be designed without compromising function and aesthetic value.
 for the poor countries like Nepal, it seems effective to adopt Low Rise High Density
system
 Shorter length of service lines like road, water supply pipes, sewerage pipes, electricity
cables etc. are required.
 The building components, produced in the mass scale reduce the cost of the components.
 It has improved the living condition of people and the beauty of city
 Level of socialization to all age group
 Space hierarchy-public-semipublic-semi private-private
 Need to be review Building-Bye-Laws with the scenario of changing technology,
demand, and process.
9.6. SITE PLANNING
It covers the design of infrastructures i.e. the design of road, sewer, water supply and the orientation of
building and the whole construction process. Here the master plan mainly features the road networks,
residential, community and recreational areas, greeneries and the other landscaping fabrics as well.
The basic philosophy of this housing project is to achieve a greater sense of neighborhood community
and yet maintain the equilibrium between functional and amenities by creating an appropriate
environment suited to the life style of different socio-environment and cultural groups. The housing
complex, which is environment friendly with low rise high density, is inspired by the physical and human
scale. It promises to bring resident’s essential pleasure of sun in each house, a view of sky through large
opening and also greenery/trees can be seen from each individual house.
As per the design concept to give the planning its integrity, the master plan encompasses within itself the
wide streets, which provides the major vehicular access to each and every plot which are intercepted by
the pedestrian linkages. The wide streets are made so as to provide a smooth flow of vehicles to every
plot on the site without any obstructions and dead ends.
9.7.FEATURES OF DESIGNED LOW COST HOUSING

LOWER MIDDLE INCOME GROUP
Plot Area: 1033.33 sq.ft.

A REPORT ON
Plinth Area: LOW COST
435HOUSING
sq. ft 47
Ground Floor Area: 435 sq. ft

Rooms
Children's/Living: 11'-4” x 10'-8” This is a common room for general activities
Room
Bedroom: 9'-0” x 8'-7” Although small, it will be sufficient as

back door is not in the kitchen and separate
water closet has been provided for washing
purpose
Kitchen/Dining: 8'-4” x 6'-8” / 8’-4” x 8’-0” A closed kitchen will provide protection
from climatic condition and also provide
security
Toilet : 7'-4” x 4'-0” Pan with water trap is used although it is
expensive as it is more hygienic
Back
Elevation
Right Elevation
A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING Front Elevation 49

Left Elevation
LOW INCOME GROUP
Plot Area: 1062.15 sq.ft.

Plinth Area: 291.15 sq. ft
Ground Floor Area: 219.15 sq. ft
Rooms
Children's/Living: 9'-2” x 12'-2” This is a common room for general activities
Room

purpose
Kitchen/Dining: 9'-3” x 7'-5” A closed kitchen will provide protection
security
Right Elevation

Left Elevation
Front Elevation
Back Elevation
ECONOMICALLY WEAK SECTION

Plot Area: 5900 sq.ft.

Plinth Area: 3700 sq. ft
Ground Floor Area: 3700sq. ft
Ground Coverage
area 62.7 sq.ft.
Rooms

purpose
Kitchen/Dining: 11'-4” x 8'-8” A closed kitchen will provide protection
security
Front Elevation
Back Elevation
Left side Elevation
Right side Elevation

10. CONCLUSION
Cost Effective Housing or Low Cost Housing would be a good alternative to shabby and poor
settlements. It will also improve the hygiene of the residents and the surroundings. But not just
the low cost tagline would be sufficient for the construction but also the construction should be
strong, durable and safe.
The output of the project is a 'low cost durable home' for the homeless and economically weaker
group of the society. Giving a good shelter will improve their health and make them more
productive.
Effective resource management and prevention of haphazard housing construction shall also be
achieved. The Implementation of low cost housing is extremely contextual from today's point of
view.

11. REFERENCES
 Low cost housing for practicing engineers And architects, Bhubaneshwar lal shrestha
 https://www.engineeringcivil.com/low-cost-housing.html
 http://www.housingnepal.com/articles/display/the-concept-of-low-cost-apartment-in-nepal
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharan
 http://lib.icimod.org/record/378
 https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJG/article/

12. ANNEX
12.1. RENDERED IMAGE

Central street view
Middle Income Group View
Recreation view
Economically Weaker Section, Apartment View

Lower Income Group view
Cow Shed View

Existing School and Health post
3D View
12.2. DRAWING DETAILS
12.2.1. ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTION

Section at X-X
12.2.2. LOW INCOME GROUP

12.2.3. LOW MIDDLE INCOME GROUP


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.4. SUBSIDISING LOW-INCOME (EQUIVALISED) HOUSEHOLDS............................................................13

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 5

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 6

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 7

1.4 TYPES OF HOUSING

1.5 INTRODUCTION TO LOW COST HOUSING

• Frank Lloyd Wright once called architects “high grade salesmen”;

1.6 OBJECTIVES OF LOW COST HOUSING

1.7 NEPAL’S HOUSING SCENARIO

2.3 INCREASING LAND SUPPLY FOR HOUSING BY LESS

2.4. SUBSIDISING LOW-INCOME (EQUIVALISED) HOUSEHOLDS

2.5. SUBSIDIES FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN

3. APPROACH TO LOW COST HOUSING

3.1. PLANNING OF LAND AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

Land use classification, Dharan Municipality

4. BACKGROUND OF LOW COST HOUSING IN NEPAL

Ownership of Joint Housing Act, 2054 (1997)

4.1. PROBLEMS IN PRESENT HOUSING CONDITION

5. LOW COST MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY

5.1 HOLLOW CEMENT CONCRETE BLOCK (HCCB)

The advantages of hollow cement block masonry are:

5.2 PARTIAL PRECAST SLAB PANELS AND PARTIAL PRECAST

The detail of construction is as follows:

The partial pre cast panels of approximate size 1 M x 0.5 M are

5.3 MASONRY PROJECTION FRAME FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS

5.4 PRECAST PANELS FOR TREAD OF

Pre-cast steps can be simply supported or cantilever.

5.5 STABILIZED SOIL BLOCK COATED WITH WAX

6. DESIGNING MATERIALS OF LOW COST HOUSING

6.1 VERTICAL ELEMENTS

1. R.C.C. Frame Structure or Pillar System

2. Load Bearing Wall Structure

Brick Masonry Work:

Stone Block Masonry:

6.2. HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS

Pre-Cast R.C.C Works

 All the building components are manufactures in the controlled way.

Its defects are:

Partial pre-cast R.C.C. works:

7.1. CASE STUDIES NEPAL

7.1.1. KHORIYA BASTI -15

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 23

7.1.2. KARMACHARI SANCHAYA KOSH HOUSING, POKHARA

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 29

Building type : LIG- 34 units, plinth area - 371 sq. ft

LMIG- 28 units, plinth area -479 sq. ft

MIG- 50 units, plinth area -476 sq. ft

Facilities : Different open

Socio-economic : Most of the residents are service holders

Disadvantage : No final finishing done. Final products look quite dull.

7.1.3. KIRTIPUR HOUSING

A REPORT ON LOW COST HOUSING 31

Planning : Compact master

Type 1 : No. of units: 20

Services : Water supply: Rainwater harvesting & well