Sustainable and resilient building solutions in Nepal
Enhancing access to affordable and seismically resilient housing
Project type
OBF Pre-development
Sector
Sustainability / Affordable housing
Sustainable Development Goals
Target outcomes
Increased access to affordable and resilient housing
The problem.
Nepal is one of the top ten fastest urbanising countries in the world at a rate of 6-8% - compared to the 3-4% average in South Asia. There is an urgent demand for new housing, with 30,000 urban units required each year. In 2015, the 7.6 magnitude Ghroka earthquake destroyed nearly 5,000,000 buildings, further increasing the pressure for new homes. Nepal needs affordable and seismically resilient urban solutions as 75% of the urban population cannot afford a home of minimum standards.
The intervention.
District Development Unit (DDU) aims to implement scalable sustainable solutions for the built environment in emerging markets undergoing rapid urbanization by integrating research and analysis. DDU integrates research and analysis to deliver evidence-based high impact projects, innovating in areas where conventional methods of development are not working. The approach involves detailed spatial analysis, community engagement, specialist technical input, and financial planning. DDU designs products that are proven to demonstrate high thermal performance, reducing carbon emissions. The aim is to connect these products to green financing to implement large scale impact.
DDU has developed an Infill Housing type for sites in Nepal that will demonstrate an integrated approach including seismic resistance, and infrastructure provision, use low cost materials based on available resources, and enables flexible and efficient planning of space to anticipate different household needs. Land has been acquired to build a prototype, with anticipated outcomes of multiple households having access to seismically resilient housing and basic infrastructure, demonstrate the hybrid use of steel and recycled timber, as well as a 58% reduction in concrete use compared to a standard house.
The project.
Shifted provides pre-development advisory to DDU with the ambition to develop an innovative OBF mechanism that best allows DDU to achieve its long-term strategic and impact goals. Shifted will be supporting DDU in developing an OBF to bridge the capital requirements enabling a sustainable transition for DDU’s business model and to create greater impact in Mongolia.
Shifted provides pre-development advisory in the areas of:
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Feasibility assessment
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Fundraising support
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OBF and funding strategy