D Y PATIL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

AJEENKYA DY PATIL UNIVERSITY

Dr Ajeenkya DY Patil Knowledge City, Charoli Bk, Lohegaon, Pune-412 105, Phone: 020-67077902/903,
www.dypatilarch.com

CERTIFICATE
(Academic Year 2023-2024)

This is to certify that the Dissertation Titled AFFORDABLE HOUSING

IN INDIAN CONTEXT: “Comprehensive study of low-
cost material ”
By Mr AJAY DALVI
Submitted to the D Y Patil School of Architecture Charholi (Bk) Lohegaon,
Pune (Affiliated to the Ajeenkya Dy Patil University) in partial fulfilment of the
Degree Course of Bachelor of Architecture, is a bonafide work completed under
the guidance of
Prof. Aprajita Kaushik
Prof. Rajaram Golgire
Principal
Prof. Shital Golhar
Studio Director

Internal Examiner External Examiner

Name: Name:
Sign: Sign:

i
 D Y Patil School of Architecture
AJEENKYA DY PATIL UNIVERSITY

THIRD YEAR B.ARCH DISSERTATION (Studio 21) (2023 – 2024)

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission presents my ideas in my own

words and where other’s ideas and words have been included, I
have adequately cited and referred the original sources. I also
declare that I have adhered to all the principles of honesty and
integrity and have not fabricated or falsified my
idea/data/fact/source in my submission.

I understand that any violation of the above will be a cause for

disciplinary action by the institute and also evoke penal action from
the sources which have thus not been properly cited or from whom
proper permission has not been taken when needed.

Place : Pune

Name : Ajay Dalvi

Date : 26.04.2024

ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Prof.Aprajita

Kaushik, for their invaluable guidance, support, and encouragement
throughout the course of this research. Their expertise, patience, and
constructive feedback have been instrumental in shaping this dissertation.

I am grateful for their insightful comments and suggestions, which have

significantly enriched the quality of this work.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the staff and faculty of D.Y Patil School of
Architecture for their assistance and resources provided during the course of
my studies.

Special thanks are due to my family for their unwavering love, understanding,
and encouragement throughout this academic journey. Their support has
been a constant source of strength and motivation.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the participants of this study for their time
and cooperation, without which this research would not have been possible.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General information………………………………… 02
1.2 The need ……………………………………………… 03
1.3 The importance…………………………………….… 03
1.4 Research gap………………………………………… 04
1.5 Research questions…………………………………. 05
1.6 Aim…………………………………………………..…. 05
1.7 Objective………………………………………………. 05
1.8 Scope………………………………………………..…. 05
1.9 Limitation…………………………………………..…. 06
1.10 Research methodology………..…………………… 06

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Advancing Net-Zero Built Environments : Promoting
Equitable Wellness for All…………………………….07
2.2 India’s G20 Leadership and Sustainable Habitat…..08

2.3 Affordable Housing Development in India: Current

Models and Their Replication………………………………..…….10

2.4 Research paper -Affordable Housing Materials &

Techniques for Urban Poor’s……………………………………...13

3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS

3.1 BV DOSHI…………………………………………….….…20

3.2 CHARLES CORREA…………………….……………..…20

3.3 BJARKE INGELS GROUP……………………..……..….21

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4. BUILDING TECHNOLOGY FOR HOUSING PROJECTS

4.1 DHP AT BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA……………………...…22

4.2 DHP AT HYDERABAD, TELANGANA………………………23

5. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………..26

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………...28

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1.INTRODUCTION

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN INDIAN CONTEXT:

“Comprehensive study of low-cost material and comfort
aspects”

In this growing urban geography, when cities are growing past their carrying
capacity one of the most demanding challenges defying cities of India is the
need for affordable housing. As India has faced many political changes which
have affected the urbanization of various cities comfort which is ignored at times
when it comes to affordability. Through an expansive study of existing literature,
government policies, and case studies, market surveys, a wide range of
building material alternatives with pros and cons will be documented and
Comfort guidelines for housing will be catered to by designing various modules
for different comfort aspects. the demand for housing, particularly affordable,
cost-effective, and sustainable options, has become a crucial concern of the
common man. With rising population, rural-to-urban migration, and economic
expansion getting a roof over your head is getting more and more expensive.
India, with its diverse socio-economic fabric, is witnessing an archetype shift in
housing dynamics. A large portion of the population finds itself excluded from
the housing market as their social image, leading to the spread of informal
settlements and inadequate living conditions. The significance of addressing
the issue of affordable housing extends beyond providing shelter; it intersects
with broader socio-economic goals. Adequate housing is also linked to health,
education, and overall social well-being. Addressing the important aspect of
building materials of affordable housing as it affects both the people providing
the housing and the people living there. And, how building materials will affect
comfort which is ignored at times when it comes to affordability. Through an
expansive study of existing literature, government policies, and case studies,
market surveys, a wide range of building material alternatives with pros and
cons will be documented and Comfort guidelines for housing will be catered to
by designing various modules for different comfort aspects.

1
1.1 General Information

Considering this factor of existing a large range gap between the provision and
demand of homes within the term of quality and similarly as amount in Urban
Bharat, throughout the start of "12th Five-year Plan" the present shortages in
Urban-Areas are 19 million units, with an extra housing demand of 28 million
units and because of affordability issue, 9 million units are still vacant, which
boosts the core demand of the urban housing to 37 million units.

Fig 1

In urban Indian cities and towns, Private-Developers targets majorly; high end-
luxury, HIG and MIG housing segments. because it collects a high-premium
over LIG and EWS housing in India. that ends up in the constant-supply for the
precise segments, and increasing market aggressiveness for the developer and
generated lobby system in real systems and creates difference for other income
groups. On the opposite hand, housing for lower income cluster is essentially
provided by the govt. for "welfare purpose" and restricted to vote bank purpose
solely. So, it's the Urban-housing demand of the MIG group that is majorly
neglected, and exists a huge-gap within the offer of reasonable homes, the
subsequent below is that the analysis of the housing need by the various
income groups in Bharat, typical space provided as per policy, current housing
stock investment and investment required for additional development in
housing.

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1.2 The Need

Affordability, especially in the Indian real estate sector, can mean a wide range
of things. Specifically, the term holds different meaning for different categories
of demographics. Further, there are also several socio-economic variables
governing a city or location to consider. Generally, affordable housing' refers to
residences that have been especially designed for the economically weaker
section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG) who are looking for the same
comfort and security of a self- owned property/home that the more fortunate
middle class enjoys. In the earlier years of real estate development in India, the
EWS and LIG categories did not get much attention to their needs. However,
with changes in administration and especially with the current government
coming to power, a significant number of changes has taken place in this
respect. These two sections make up the thickest segment of the demographic
for India, and form the base of the country's economy. It has been overdue that
their requirements are looked into. Thankfully, there have been several
initiatives by the BJP government under the leadership of PM Modi that have
boosted affordable housing sector. For example, it is seriously looking into the
betterment of accessibility-read reduced commute times. Lack of accessibility
has been one of the top reasons why low-cost housing was inaccessible.

1.3 Importance

Creating affordable housing is not just about helping a certain demographic to

achieve their dream of home ownership. True, from a political viewpoint it is
obviously important to cater to the demands of a massive vote bank. But there
is an important economic angle to be considered, as well - the working class
must have a good enough reason to not move out of their city to be able to work
and earn. It is important to understand that we are not just talking about people
living on below or on the edge of the poverty line. In 2012, the Housing and
Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry made an upward revision on the criteria that
define EWS. With this revision, families with an annual household income of up
to Rs 1 lakh now come under the classification of Economically Weaker Section

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(EWS). This was a significant change from the earlier limit of Rs. 5, 000/month
or Rs. 60,000 annually. The category of Lower Income Group or LIG also saw
an upward revision now, families with an annual income of between Rs. 1-2
lakh came under the LIG category. Previously, the definition applied to families
earning Rs 5001-10000/month or Rs 60000-120000 annually. The people who
fall under both these categories are extremely important for the country's
economic progress. They provide myriad services which our cities can simply
not do without, but are very prone to migrating out of cities which do not support
their needs.

1.4 Research Gap

In the affordable urban housing, many types of research are being done on the
following and need to be further researched:

a) The minimum volume of habitation,

b) Provision of the cost-effective amenity on site.

c) Cost effective construction.

d) Land economics of affordability of housing.

e) Housing delivery systems by a credit agency.

There is very limited research is being done on the Issues restricting private
participation, investments, in the development of urban "affordable housing"
and giving a recommendation on the policy reforms to make it affordable to our
Indian urban society. In many developing countries like China, Brazil, and south
Africa etc. had adopted private partnership investment to overcome their
housing problem. Which is a topic of research in India?

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1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• What are the commonly used building materials for affordable housing in India
and across the world, and how does the low cost affect the affordability of
housing projects?

1.6 AIM

Exploring low-cost building materials for affordable housing that have a low
impact on nature.

1.7 OBJECTIVES

• Explore various low-cost building material alternatives for typical practice and
know their availability in the market, sustainability, durability, and carbon
footprint as affordable housing is on a large scale, and the impact on the
surrounding environment.

• Exploring innovations and emerging trends in construction materials for

affordable housing

• Analysing case studies on successful affordable housing projects in India,

focusing on their design, construction, and the materials used.

• To explore innovative models and best practices from global and local contexts
that can be adapted to the Indian scenario.

1.8 SCOPE

• With low-cost materials government can afford more projects catering to the
basic need of the common human which is a shelter.

• Concentrated housing projects can minimize the negative impact on the

growth of cities due to scattered residencies

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• With low-cost housing comfort is at times ignored so this module design can
be considered a comfort model for low-cost housing projects.

1.9 LIMITATIONS

• Limiting the study to a specific city within India may restrict the generalizability
of findings to other parts of the country, given the diverse socio-economic and
cultural conditions across the country

• The research may not capture the dynamic changes and trends in the
affordable housing sector and building materials over a more extended
timeframe.

• Data availability and reliability the data on affordable housing in India is limited
only govt organizations have exact data

4. Market Survey Explore the local market for the availability of different
materials and then compare them based on transportation cost and time, cost,
carbon footprint, technology used, usage of the material

1.10 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Research method: Mixed; both qualitative and quantitative

• Data Collection:

1. Literature Review: Academic journals, books, government reports, and

industry publications. Understand the historical context, current policies, and
available building materials for affordable housing.

2. Case Studies: Affordable housing projects across different regions in India.

To know the Indian context and also help us Evaluate the success factors and
challenges of various building materials.

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2. Literature Review

2.1 ADVANCING NET-ZERO BUILT ENVIRONMENTS:

PROMOTING EQUITABLE WELLNESS FOR ALL

Research Paper published in SHELTER Apr 2023 vol1

RESHMA SINGH YASHIMA JAIN

Buildings contribute to 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with

operations accounting for 28% and embodied CO2 emissions from materials
and construction accounting for 11%. India is projected to become one of the
biggest producers of carbon emissions from buildings by 2050, with commercial
and residential building stock increasing significantly. India's building energy
use currently accounts for 33% of the nation's energy use. Implementing low-
energy buildings in both production and operations is critical to slash the
building sector's energy use and CO2 emissions. Developing a zero-carbon
built environment for India's commercial and residential building sectors may
involve three critical drivers:

Decarbonise, Democratise, and Digitalise.

Decarbonisation is a fundamental need to address climate change and

resilience, while operational carbon reduction requires a progressive approach
that reduces capital expenses for renewables and reduces resource use and
waste through circularity of building materials and energy flows. The
regenerative system aims to close loops of resource input, waste, emission,
and energy leakage, involving multiple stakeholders.

Democratisation addresses affordable climate-responsive development for

communities, ensuring resilience and wellness in the living environment.

Digitalization provides an integrative platform for effective energy and

resource utilization and conservation in buildings, revitalizing ecosystem
services and biodiversity for equitable social harmony, health, and resilience.
India must address efficiency in the sector, particularly in space cooling, to
achieve equitable thermal comfort and wellness.

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Net Zero Connected Communities (NZ2Cs) are the future, providing
opportunities for clean energy policy and technology innovation. They comprise
groups of grid-interactive efficient buildings with diverse, flexible end use
equipment and distributed energy resources that collectively work to maximize
building, community, and grid efficiency. The United States Government has
recommended a feasibility study for advanced cooling and net-zero connected
communities in India to reduce active energy demand for space cooling,
lighting, and appliances. The study assesses techno-economic feasibility,
environmental and economic impact, digital infrastructure requirements, and
policy/regulatory support for deep decarbonization of buildings and space
cooling. The study also suggests leveraging economies of scale, diversity of
building typologies, and capacity for renewables at the community scale to
overcome barriers to NZ2C scaling. This will enable Indian policymakers to
integrate climate net-zero connected community frameworks and reduce
emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.

2.2 INDIA’S G20 LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE HABITAT

Research Paper published

in SHELTER Apr 2023 vol1
A.K. JAIN

India's informal sector,

which accounts for 90% of
its workforce, contributes
more than half of its GDP
and leads to precarious
jobs, health, education,
and food security issues.
To address these issues,
India must engage the
urban sector with the
Sustainable Development Goals and adopt an integrated approach towards
well-being, infrastructure, and environment. The United Nations Conference of
the Parties (CoP) has committed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius

8
by 2100, which requires reducing the use of fossil fuels by replacing them with
new sources like solar PV, green hydrogen, green metals, carbon capture, solid
state batteries, electric vehicles, ethanol blended fuels, heat pumps, and
electric and hydrogen powered transport.

A climate compass
can be developed to
predict the impact of
urban projects on the
environment and
climate, and dedicated
climate centres for
cities can be
established using
technology, Artificial
Intelligence, Inclusive,
and Deep Learning. In the digital age, land use-based Master Planning should
be replaced by five-year horizon local area plans that integrate ecology, built
environment, service network, transport, and heritage. Climate sensitive design
approaches cover energy and green building, water resources and waste
management, mobility, urban planning, green cover and biodiversity, basic
amenities, and good governance.

• Urban heat islands, hot air domes that affect the microclimate in densely
built-up areas, require a city-wide Heat Mitigation Plan. This plan
includes the use of heat reflective and permeable materials for rooftops,
pavements, and roads, insulation, white paint, cavity walls, water
fountains, vegetation, and cross ventilation.
• India aims to achieve net-zero emission by 2070, shifting from fossil fuels
to electric vehicles, green hydrogen, biofuels, and other renewable
sources. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and Zero-fossil Energy

9
 Development (ZED) can reduce energy
demand and pollution. Smart Micro-
Grids, Distributed Energy Systems
(DES), Micro-Districts, and Anchor
Micro grids should be linked with
renewable energy networks and energy
efficiency.
• Water conservation and management
are essential for India's water-stressed
cities, with only 18% of renewable water resources being recycled and
10% of annual rainfall being harvested. Urban farming can be integrated
into green urban planning (GUP) to minimize the city's footprint and grow
its own food. Green infrastructure plays a crucial role in climate change
adaptation and mitigation, including thermally comfortable outdoor
spaces, improved aesthetics, and increased water conservation.

2.3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA:

CURRENT MODELS AND THEIR REPLICATION

by Ramakrishna Nallathiga, S P Lele and JVV Prasad

This paper examines affordable housing development in India, focusing on four

broad models: Area-based, Agency, Partnership, and Enterprise models.

• The increasing
urban population has
put pressure on the
housing sector,
particularly low-
income housing, with
huge demand but very
little supply.
• The government
of India defines

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 affordable housing based on household income and built space under
the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) and Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY).
• The Sardar Patel Urban Housing Mission aims at "Housing For all by
2022," which puts more pressure on the affordable housing sector to
close the gap between demand and supply.
• Several affordable housing models were selected for the study, including
Vastushodh, APSRCL, Charkrabarti and Sarkar (2008), Vastushodh
(2014), IDFC (2012).
• Urban Gram - Shirwal is a joint venture between ACG Worldwide and
Vastushodh. The project features amenities such as a gated community,
semi-automatic lifts, generator backup, swimming pool, kids' pool, large
landscaped area, amphitheatre, vermi-culture project, concrete roads,
bore-well water, and street lighting.
• The Rajiv Swagruha (APRSCL) is an affordable housing scheme
initiated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) in 2007 to
provide housing units for moderate income groups in urban areas. The
scheme offers freehold ownership over dwelling units and common
amenities, but restrictions on property transfer within five years of
possession. The project is entirely financed by the beneficiary
population, with incentives offered on prompt payment.
• The New Town Rajarhat is a satellite city in Kolkata, India, designed to
establish a new business centre and reduce pressure on existing Central
Business Districts. The project aims to increase housing stock supply by
creating new residential units for a population of 7.50 lakhs for all income
groups, with an emphasis on housing for lower income groups.
• The Sukhobrishti is a mass housing development project of the West
Bengal Housing Board (WBHIDCO) in partnership with the Bengal
Shapoorji Housing Development Pvt Ltd, which constructs low-cost
houses in New Town Kolkata for 20,000 families. This project is based
on the public-private partnership (PPP) model of developing affordable
housing units.
• Salient features of this model include cross-subsidy, providing a good
number of housing units within the affordable range, and off-site subsidy

11
 for building IT/ITES facilities meeting government objectives. The State
Government has allowed construction of 300 housing units per hectare,
while 125-150 units in metropolitan urban areas are the norm set up by
the National Building Code (NBC).
• Target beneficiaries include LIG units for less than 3 lakhs and MIG units
below 6 lakhs. The allocation of houses to eligible beneficiaries is done
through lottery, and consumer financing is done by Housing Finance
Companies (HFCs) like HDFC, SBI Home Finance, LIC Housing
Finance, and Micro HFCs.
• Affordable housing projects in major Indian cities like Mumbai, National
Capital Region (NCR), Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru,
and Kolkata have potential replication potential. These projects offer
high-quality housing units, amenities like swimming pools, fitness clubs,
entertainment centres, and gated communities with security guards and
closed-circuit cameras.
• Sukhobrishti is an affordable housing model that provides quality
housing for the urban poor and middle class, but the subsidy must be
used for high-income business creation, which is only possible in certain
parts of the country due to the development of a satellite city near
Kolkata.
• Aarusha Homes, established in 2007, provides rental housing solutions
to lower income groups and economically weaker sections of society.
The company started its first residential hostel in Hyderabad with Rs 70
lakhs as capital, catering to students and working employees.
• It has since expanded to three cities in India - Bengaluru, Hyderabad,
and Pune. A tenant of Aarusha Homes typically enjoys 95-100 sq. ft area,
including rooms, kitchen, toilet, and other common spaces. They can get
rooms in the range of Rs 4,000-6,000 per month, with the cheapest
rooms in the range of Rs 1,200 to 2,400 per month, which excludes food.
• A comparative matrix has been prepared to compare affordable housing
models in India, considering factors such as purchase power,
occupation, subsidies/incentives, local economy level, demand,

12
 infrastructure, expected returns on the project, and how to use the
matrix.
• Developers/development firms intending to start an affordable housing
scheme gather information regarding beneficiaries, demographics, and
expected returns from the project.
• In conclusion, affordable housing is the need of the hour due to the
increasing urban population putting pressure on the housing sector,
especially low-income housing. The study of affordable housing is more
important because it has the potential to unlock challenges, tap the huge
demand in this sector, and reduce the demand supply deficit.

2.4 Research paper -Affordable Housing Materials &

Techniques for Urban Poor’s

By S. S. Shinde , A. B. Karankal

2.4.1. Introduction
House Building Costs and Challenges

• High cost of house building is a major issue for many, including daily
labourers, small farmers, low-paid government employees, and merchants.
• High materials and wages, as well as the 'new fashions' advocated by
engineers, contribute to the high cost.
• Poor house holders often have to rely on the 'all knowing' engineers, leading
to lavish, garishly painted houses.
• These houses are unfit for living due to their high summer temperatures.
• Despite the high cost, people are now seeking ways to build houses of
decent quality and meet their real needs.

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2.4.2. Eco Friendly and Alternative Building
Materials
A) Structural materials
A.1. Pozzolana Material (fly ash/slag/calcined clay)
as Blended Cement: Enhancing Concrete Quality and Durability
• Up to 35% fly ash can be directly substituted for cement in blending material.
• Addition of fly ash significantly improves concrete quality and durability.
• Blended cement offers durability and environmental benefits.
• Benefits include reduced heat of hydration, improved workability, superior
microstructure, higher long-term strength,
better performance in aggressive
environments, reduced risk of alkali silica
reaction, and higher electrical resistance.
• Portland pozzolana cement saves 20%
energy, lime pozzolana mixture shows up to
70% energy savings.

A.2. Recycled Steel Reinforcement

Steel Reinforcement Made from Recycled Scrap Iron
• Steel reinforcement is made entirely
from recycled scrap iron salvaged from
automobiles, appliances, and steel-
reinforced structures.
• Bars can be rolled from used scrap
rails, automobile scrap, defense scrap,
defectives from steel plants, scrap
generated from ship breaking or
discarded structures, ingots from induction furnaces, and tested billets from
mini steel plants and main producers.
• The primary criterion for steel reinforcement bars is mass per meter run.
• IS 1786 specifies batch rolling tolerances in the range of +/- 7 to 3 percent,
depending on bar diameter.
• Weight control within these limits is possible.

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Blending Material with Cement
Steel Tolerance and Recycling
• Steel bars can be supplied in the minus tolerance range to save up to 7% of
the steel cost.
• Standard lengths of steel bars can minimize wastage, while random lengths
can lead to 5 to 7 percent wastage.
• IS 1786: 1985 allows tolerances of +75/-25 mm when bars are cut to
specified lengths.
• About 40% of the world's steel is produced by electrically melting recycled
steel.
• Recycled steel is a strategic raw material in the global steel industry, with a
price on the world market.
• Steel products like galvanized studs, cladding, roofing panels, and tube
assemblies can be produced from electric "mini-mill" processes.
• Steel strength, non-combustibility, and durability make it a suitable material
for various applications.

A.3. Ferro Cement and Precast Components

Precast Components: Eco-friendly, Cost-Effective, and Energy-Efficient
• Precast components are 85% recyclable, low carbon dioxide generation, and
energy efficient.
• They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and easy to install.
• Precast components are waterproof due to a less water cement ratio,
requiring no plastering.
• They are stronger than cast-in-situ structures, have longer life, and better
load bearing capacity.
• Precast aerated/cellular concrete walling blocks and roofing slabs reduce
weight, provide better insulation,
and are easy to work with.
• Precast spacers, designed
according to I.S. code, improve the
performance of reinforced concrete
(RCC).

15
• Precast slabs and beams can carry live loads of 2kn/sq. without additional
reinforcement, or up to 10kn/sq. if additional reinforcement is placed.
• Precast brick panels and partially precast joists save on steel and cement
use and provide an alternative to reinforced cement concrete roofing/flooring.
• Precast L- Panel Elements provide a better alternative to RCC sloping roofs,
eliminating water seepage.
• Precast plank and joist for flooring/roofing save 12% in cost and 20% in
construction time.
• Precast chamber covers are cheaper and stronger than cast iron chamber
covers.
• Precast waffle units provide speedy construction and save up to 10% in
construction time.
• Precast channel units are easy to construct, providing a flush ceiling.
• Precast cored units are simple to manufacture and provide a speedy and
economical flush ceiling.
• Precast in-situ thin ribbed slabs are cheaper and easier to construct
compared to conventional cast-in-situ RCC slab.

A.4. Precast R.C.C. / Ferro-cement Frames

Precast R.C.C. Frames Overview
• Concrete doorframes with welded reinforcement, manufactured according to
Indian Standards.
• Economically, environmentally friendly, and durable.
• Termite, fire, and corrosion proof.
• No bending, twisting, warping, shrinkage, or cracks.
• Maintenance-free, easy to install, and comes with in-built high-quality a drop
hold protector.
• Two types of hinge fixing
arrangements available.
• Ferro cement frames are 1/3rd
in cost compared to second grade
timber.
• Can be painted like timber

16
shutters.
• Offers 20% savings on material and cost.
• Technical specifications: 100mmx60mm section, grade of concrete M40,
steel 6mm Dia, 3 no’s, and stirrups, 6mm welded to main reinforcement.

B) Bricks & blocks

Rising Demand for Building Materials
• Rapid growth in building material demand necessitates new methods and
techniques.
• Bulk production of building materials like bricks, cement, steel, and
aggregates strains natural resources and energy.
• Encouragement of alternative materials for bricks is needed to preserve
fertile top soil.

B.1. Fly ash – sand – lime bricks

Fly Ash-Sand Lime Bricks: A Solution for Brick Shortage
• Bridges brick shortage.
• Maximizes fly ash waste reuse.
• Available in multiple loads bearing grades.
• Saves on mortar plastering.
• Provides smart, attractive brickwork.

B.2. Bricks from Coal Washery Rejects

Coal Washery Waste Management
• Freshly mined coal is washed to remove impurities before use or processing.
• Waste from coal washing plants poses environmental hazards.
• Waste should be disposed or utilized to minimize harmful effects.
• Binders like cement or lime can be used to create bricks and blocks using
coal washery waste.
• These bricks are eco-friendly, waste-reducing, energy efficient, and cost-
effective.

17
B.3. Building Blocks from Mine Waste and Industrial Waste
Environmentally Friendly Waste Management in Industries
• Wastes from large-scale industries and thermal power plants, such as fly
ash, slag, coal ash, and red mud, are produced in vast amounts and
frequently go unutilized for decades,
posing a risk to the environment and
generating pollution.
• Wastes can be used to make lime-
pozzolana cements, building
materials, and alternatives to
concrete.
• Mine tailings, which are produced
in vast numbers by the mining industry, build up around mines and form
sizable hillocks.
• There is a large potential market for mine wastes as building materials and
products.

B.4. C-Brick
These bricks were produced with the help of CBRI's C-brick Machine. The
machine is used to produce high-quality bricks using fly ash and is offered
with BMTPC.
fly ash, cement, sand, lime, and cement-sand-aggregate. The produced bricks
include characteristics including efflorescence-free product, water absorption
of less than 20%, and compressive strength of 40–80 kg/sq.cm.

C) Plaster
C.1. Calcium Silicate Plaster
Calcium silicate or silicate-bearing minerals, such as hornblende, epidotic,
and diopside, are typically used to make calcium silicate refractories; these
minerals are frequently combined with calcite or Wollastonite or dolomite. A
naturally occurring calcium silicate that is frequently used as a filler is called
wullastonite. Calcium silicate is also the basis for Portland cements. Calcium
silicate plasters are inexpensive, environmentally benign, widely used,

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produce less waste, have a sophisticated finish, need less energy, don't
release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other harmful gasses after
application, and can be recycled.

C.2. Fiber reinforced clay plaster

Fiber reinforcement of clay plaster may enhance its adhering qualities. These
fibres can be synthetic polypropylene fibres or plant-based fibres like
cellulose. Plant
In fibre-reinforced plaster, the fibres serve as reinforcement and produce
voids, which prevent cracking from drying shrinkage and thermal motions.
Compared to traditional plasters, the dried plaster is less brittle and more
resilient to slight substrate movements. To obtain the same qualities, 100%
virgin polypropylene fibres can also be utilized to make fibres. By using these
fibres, you may boost impact and abrasion resistance, decrease permeability,
and lessen plastic shrinkage.

D) Roofing’s
D.1 Bamboo matt corrugated roofing sheets
Any home must have roofing, and
in India, a variety of materials are
used for roof cladding, such as
thatch, burnt clay (from Mangalore
tiles), corrugated sheets of
aluminium and asbestos cement,
galvanized iron, etc. Corrugated
sheets are the recommended
material for semi-permanent buildings out of these. But in many nations,
alternative materials are taking the place of one of the main roofing
materials—ACCS. Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council
(BMTPC) and Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute
(IPIRTI) have collaborated to develop a technology for producing Bamboo Mat
Corrugated Sheets (BMCSs) in response to the need for alternative eco-
friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective roofing sheets.

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D.2 Micro concrete roofing tiles
For sloping roofs, Micro Concrete Roofing (MCR) tiles offer a long-lasting,
attractive, and reasonably priced substitute. The tiles for Micro Concrete
Roofing (MCR) are created using a meticulous a carefully blended mixture of
water, fine stone aggregate, sand, and cement. MCR tiles go through a
rigorous quality control process at each stage. They undergo extensive testing
to determine their size, shape, strength, and water tightness. The outcome of
international research and development efforts is MCR technology. MCR
technology is promoted in India by TARA, Development Alternatives, in
collaboration with SKAT of Switzerland.

3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS

3.1 B. V. Doshi
Aranya Low-cost
Housing

B.V Doshi, emphasizes the

importance of creating
homes where a happy
community lives. He
recognizes the relationship
between humans and the environment, the association of our lives with culture,
and the sensitive approach towards society and its traditions. The housing
township is designed to provide families with a framework of services, toilet
blocks, and brick plinths, allowing them to shape the space according to their
fundamental needs and lifestyles.

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 3.2 Charles Correa
Tara Housing, Delhi:
Transforming Urban
Living through
Innovative Design

Tara Housing's design

philosophy emphasizes
space optimization for
maximum utility, ensuring efficient land use without compromising on quality.
The project also incorporates green building initiatives such as energy-efficient
materials, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels, reducing environmental
impact and positioning it as a model for sustainable urban living.

3.3 Homes for All - Dortheavej Residence / Bjarke Ingels Group

SOCIAL HOUSING, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

The "Homes for All - Dortheavej Residence"

project by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) is situated
in Copenhagen, Denmark. It comprises 66
apartments which provide accommodation for
low-income citizens.

Key features of the architecture include:

Modular Design: Prefabricated modules are

assembled on-site, reducing construction time and costs.

Vertical Integration: The Dortheavej Residence maximizes land use by

incorporating multiple functions within a single building.

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green Spaces: The architecture prioritizes
access to outdoor green spaces, creating
landscaped courtyards and rooftop gardens
where residents can relax, socialize with nature.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: The architecture is

designed to be inclusive and accessible to
people of all ages and abilities. Barrier-free
access, universal design principles, and
adaptable spaces ensure that the development
meets the diverse needs of its residents.

4. BUILDING TECHNOLOGY FOR HOUSING PROJECTS

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India has
set up a Technology Sub-Mission (TSM) under PMAY-HFA (Urban) mission
with the objective of providing “Sustainable Technological Solutions for Faster
& Cost-Effective Construction of Houses suiting to Geo-Climatic and hazard
conditions of the Country”.
MoHUA has taken an initiative
to construct Demonstration
Houses as a part of TSM
through BMTPC. These
Demonstration Housing
Projects(DHPs) act as
resource projects for providing
training and skills to
professionals and construction workers.

4.1 DHP AT
BHUBANESWAR,
ODISHA
The technology used is
PREFABRICATED SANDWICH
PANEL SYSTEM - Reinforced

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 Expanded Polystyrene sheet core with sprayed concrete for wall & slab.
BMTPC has completed construction of 32 demonstration houses (G+3)

Cost per sqft. with infrastructure : Rs.1494

Structural System

• RCC framed structure

• Expanded Polystyrene Core Panel System with Sprayed Concrete
Structural Plaster for wall/slab/roof Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) core
Panel system is a modern, efficient, safe and economic construction
system for the construction of buildings. These panels can be used both
as load bearing as well as non-load bearing elements. The light weight
panels have a sandwich construction with expanded polystyrene as core
and self-compacting concrete skins. The EPS
panels consist of a 3-dimensional welded wire
space frame utilizing a truss concept for stress
transfer and stiffness. EPS panel includes
welded reinforcing meshes of high-strength wire,
diagonal wire and self-extinguishing expanded
polystyrene uncoated concrete, manufactured in
the factory and shotcrete is applied to the panel assembled at the
construction site, which gives the load bearing capacity to the structure.

4.2 DHP AT HYDERABAD, TELANGANA The Telangana State Mission

for Elimination of Poverty in
Municipal Areas (TMEPMA)
through Telangana State
Housing Corporation Limited
(TSHCL), Hyderabad allotted
1085 sq.mts. of land at Nirmithi
Kendra, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
for the Demonstration Housing
Project. The Plans, Sections

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and Layout Plan of Demonstration Housing Project were approved by TSHCL.
In order to demonstrate different emerging technologies, the Council
constructed, two blocks for 32 Demonstration Houses (G+3) using two different
technologies i.e.

(i) STAY IN PLACE FORMWORK SYSTEM - Structural Stay in Place

Steel Formwork System (16 houses)
(ii) (ii) LIGHT GAUGE STEEL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM (16 houses)
under this project as part of PMAY(U).

Carpet area of each unit : 38.74 sqm.(Type A), 39.50 sqm.(Type B)

Built up area of each unit : 53.18 sqm.(Type A), 53.10 sqm.(Type B)

Cost per sqft. with infrastructure : Rs.1861

Structural Stay in Place

Steel Formwork System

• This system is also

known as ‘Coffer’ to build load
bearing monolithic concrete
wall structures based on shear
wall concept.
• The formwork system comprises of two filtering grids made of rib
mesh reinforced by ‘C’ channel vertical stiffeners.
• The grids are connected by rebar which act as horizontal
stiffeners and connector which act as a shear link.
• The panels are prefabricated according to a structural plan
(based on architectural plans) designed by structural engineers.

Light Gauge Steel Framed Structures (LGSF)

• It is based on factory made galvanized light gauge steel

components.

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• The system is produced by cold forming method and assembled
as panels at site forming structural steel framework of a building
of varying sizes of wall and floor.
• The assembly is done using special types of screws and bolts.
LGSF is a well-established technology for residential construction
in North America, Australia and Japan and is gaining ground in
India.
• LGSF is typically ideal for one to three storey high buildings,
especially for residential and commercial buildings.
• Due to its flexibility, fast construction and durability, this
technology has great potential for counties like India. LGSF can
be combined with composite steel / concrete deck resting on light
steel framing stud walls.
• In this project, these systems have
been used as load bearing wall panels.
• The total thickness of wall in case of

LGSF system is 124mm having 89mm

thickness of LGSF and 9mm & 6mm thick fibre cement board with
vapour barrier on outside wall and 8mm thick fibre cement board
with 12mm gypsum board inside of wall. Rockwool have been
used as infill material.

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5 .CONCLUSION

Affordable housing depends on a multitude of factors in terms of architecture

such as -

• Site Selection and Zoning Regulations:

The location of affordable housing projects greatly impacts construction costs,

accessibility to amenities, and transportation options.

Zoning regulations play a crucial role in determining permissible land use,

density, and building heights, which can affect the feasibility and cost of
development.

• Design Efficiency and Space Optimization:

Efficient use of space is essential in maximizing the number of housing units

within a given area, thereby reducing per-unit construction costs.

• Construction Methods and Techniques:

Innovative construction methods such as prefabrication, modular construction,

and panelised systems offer potential cost savings through reduced labour
requirements, shorter construction timelines, and improved quality control.

• Material Selection and Sustainability:

Sustainable materials such as recycled content, renewable resources, and

low-impact materials not only reduce environmental footprint but also
contribute to affordability by minimizing material costs and maintenance
requirements.

Locally-sourced materials can further reduce transportation costs and support

the local economy.

• Energy Efficiency and Passive Design:

Integrating energy-efficient design features and passive strategies such as

orientation, insulation, and natural ventilation can lower utility bills and
enhance comfort for residents.

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Energy-efficient appliances, lighting fixtures, and HVAC systems contribute to
long-term affordability by reducing ongoing operational expenses.

• Community Integration and Social Infrastructure:

Affordable housing projects should be designed to foster a sense of

community and inclusion, with amenities such as parks, community centres,
and public transportation hubs integrated into the development.

The collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Mohua)
and the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) is a
significant partnership aimed at advancing the development and promotion of
sustainable building materials ,construction technologies and affordability of
housing and urban infrastructure in India.

Best building material and technology for affordable housing suggestion

• Light gauge steel frame structure with light weight cellular concrete
Sandwiched in nanocrete panels
▪ Less construction time
▪ Lightweight material, low carbon footprint than concrete
building
▪ We can use any infill material.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

• https://mohua.gov.in
• https://www.bmtpc.org
• https://www.archdaily.com
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352165784_Material_Used_in
_Low_Cost_Housing
• https://www.academia.edu/27607571/Affordable_Housing_Materials_a
nd_Techniques_for_Urban_Poors
• https://thedesigngesture.com/low-cost-housing-remarkable-case-
studies/
• https://www.archdaily.com/903495/homes-for-all-dortheavej-residence-
bjarke-ingels-group

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