South Africa, it may be argued, has a comprehensive network or roads linking the main centres of industry and population with each other. Current initiatives between the civil engineering industry and organised labour have opened the way for labour-intensive construction to become more viable and attractive. Low cost (low volume) roads are seen to be ideal candidates for this form of construction, not only in the more rural areas of South Africa but also in the developing urban areas. An outline is given of these initiatives leading up to the signing of the "Framework Agreement for public works projects using labour intensive construction systems", as well as a report on some of the practical aspects involved the practical aspects involved in adopting this form of construction to provide low cost roads. Seen as a practical solution to reducing unemployment while introducing a circulating wealth and a measure of skills transfer to the affected communities, labour intensive construction is likely to gather far-reaching support in the near future. Circumstances unique to South Africa have helped sculpt the basis for this form of construction whithin this country, but many of the lessons learned are likely to find application in other developing areas of the world. (A)
Abstract