CAA Online Event, Making Building Codes Work
Attendance and feedback from the event.
Date created: 15 March 2024
CAA Online Event, Making Building Codes Work
OBJECTIVE OF THE EVENT
The development, implementation and enforcement of effective building code is fundamental to the delivery of a built environment which is inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The aim of this knowledge sharing event was to learn about the work that has been undertaken to strengthen National Building Codes among Pacific Island nations and throughout the Caribbean. It also sought to identify key barriers and enablers to the successful design and implementation of National Building Code, particularly among Small Island States which are in the forefront of climate change.
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTORS
Mr Timothy Stats, (Australia)
Ms Anne Milbank, (Samoa)
Mr Andrew Pene, (Fiji)
Dr Winston McCalla, (Jamaica)
Ms Maria Mousmouti, (UK)
Technical Assistance Officer, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF)
Coordinator of the Samoan National Building Code while Assistant CEO of the Buildings Division, Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure
Director Buildings & Government Architect, Fiji, Ministry for Public Works, Meteorological Services & Transport
Former Asst Attorney General and former Director of Legal Reform, Jamaica, with extensive experience of developing effective legislation throughout the Caribbean
Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London
ADDITIONAL PANELLISTS
Mr Robert LewisLettington, (Kenya)
Chief of the Land, Housing and Shelter section and previously Chief of Urban Legislation, UN Habitat
Mr Jonathan Duwyn (France) Programme Manager, Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (hosting the ‘Buildings & Climate Global Forum in Paris in March)
Mr George Arabbu Ndege, (Kenya) Vice President, Architectural Association of Kenya
EVENT OUTLINE
1. National Building Codes in the Pacific. Tim Stats provided an overview of the regional diagnostic study on the application of National Building Codes in the Pacific, undertaken by the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), including lessons learnt.
2. Samoan perspective. Anne Milbank focused on some of the issues associated with development of the new Samoan National Building Code, adopted by the Government in 2017
3. Fiji perspective. Andrew Pene focused on the work associated with development of the new draft National Building Code, which is awaiting parliamentary approval.
4. Caribbean perspective. Winston McCalla provided an overview of some of the issues associated with the development of national building codes in the Caribbean.
5. How to fix it. Maria Mousmouti summarised some of the key challenges associated with the development of effective building codes.
6. Panel discussion and Q&A. Following a series of short framing presentations, the panel responded to a series of questions from the moderator and participants.
PRINCIPAL LESSONS LEARNT
The following are among an extensive list of lessons learnt during the course of the event:
1. Remember that Building codes are intended to set minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings, to protect people’s health safety and welfare.
2. But evidence shows that they are failing to deliver their intended purpose in a number of Commonwealth countries, and are failing the most vulnerable members of society, especially the urban poor, whose need is greatest.
3. Building codes need to be carefully calibrated to cater for the prevailing context and compliance needs to be affordable if the codes are to be deliverable, or else some form of incentivisation/support may be required.
4. Today, building codes have a critically important role to play in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation, yet many codes are failing to address these issues adequately.
5. Building codes need to be regularly reviewed to keep abreast of changing circumstances such as such as the introduction of different building typologies and bio -based materials together with changing standards etc.
6. Regulatory Impact Assessments provide a framework for developing building code while also ensuring a more transparent process throughout the decision-making process but should not be regarded as merely a tick-box exercise.
7. Building code needs to work together with related legislation such a planning, health & safety etc.
8. The development of successful building code involves a range of stakeholders including technical experts, parliamentarians, legal experts etc all of whom have a critically important role to play.
9. The implementation of successful building code involves a range of important steps including the preparation of designs, design review,
site inspection and certification. Failure in any one of these steps risks undermining the entire process.
10. Central Government needs the political will to deliver successful building code while local government require both the resources and the skills to do so.
11. The public should be alerted to the risks associated with the use of unqualified practitioners and/or poor-quality contractors, and the benefits of using qualified built environment professionals such as architects, engineers, and planners.
EVENT RECORDING
A recording of the event has been published on the CAA’s website and can be accessed here.
ATTENDANCE
Number of Attendees
• Total number of registered participants : 700
• Total number of unique views : 306
• Maximum number of concurrent views : 254
Background
Regions Represented
Country ’s Represented
FEEDBACK
The following feedback was obtained from participants during the event.
Do you consider the design of the building code in your country fit for purpose?
Do you consider your building code is being implemented effectively?
The following feedback was obtained from participants upon completion of the event.
Would you like more time for engagement with the speakers?
Would you like the CAA to continue to offer events of this kind?
What was your key takeaway from the event?
1. Significance of collaboration of different stakeholders for development of codes and regulations
2. I'm happy with the large attendance from Africa. It shows a high level of consciousness.
3. I have some concerns about the length and complexity of proposed revisions to building codes in Fiji, particularly in comparison to the Australian National Building Code. The need to maintain elements of success from existing codes while addressing new challenges, such as energy efficiency and sustainability, in a way that is affordable for the population. Below are some insights to my statement, and following points: Efficiency in Building Codes-Research shows that streamlined and clear building codes can lead to more efficient construction processes and better compliance. Lengthy and overly complex codes may hinder implementation and enforcement, leading to potential delays and increased costs for builders and homeowners. Lessons from Australian Building Codes-Drawing on the experience of countries like Australia, where energy and sustainability sections have been integrated into building codes, can provide valuable insights. Studies have shown that incorporating energy-efficient measures in building design and construction can result in significant long-term cost savings through reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills. Affordability Concerns-Research on the economic impact of building code revisions in developing countries, such as Fiji, indicates that affordability is a crucial consideration. High upfront costs associated with meeting stringent code requirements can disproportionately affect low-income individuals and exacerbate housing affordability challenges. Resilience and Tropical Design Principles-Evidence suggests that designing buildings with resilience in mind, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters like Fiji, is essential for long-term sustainability. Utilizing tropical design
principles, such as passive cooling techniques and efficient use of natural ventilation and shading, can enhance energy efficiency without significant additional costs. Community Engagement and Adaptation-Engaging local communities in the revision process and incorporating their knowledge of local building practices and environmental conditions is essential for effective code development. Research highlights the importance of community-driven approaches to resilience-building, which can lead to more culturally appropriate and cost-effective solutions.
4. Much work is needed for compliance and regulation of building codes in many regions in the Commonwealth.
5. Building codes are important but cannot stand alone. We need a regulatory and legal framework to enforce the building code.
6. We in the Caribbean need to start implementing building codes, it's long overdue for the region.
7. Building Codes are necessary guidelines to strengthen governance of the concerned authorities.
8. Regulations regarding Bamboo Construction
9. It is not just enough to set codes; the codes must be achievable must be achievable.
10. In an ever-changing environment impacted by issues such as climate change, natural disasters, changing end-user requirements, construction cost affordability, etc., it is imperative that building codes are not only made to work but should also be frequently reviewed to ensure relevance, pragmatism and ease of deployment and enforcement. Development, deployment, and enforcement of Building Codes must go hand in hand with Building Standards and relevant legislation.
11. Building codes should start responding to changing environmental issues like earthquakes, etc
12. lessons learnt on regional diagnostic study on the application of National Building Codes in the Pacific
13. Building codes in my country mostly impractical and not aligned to how people Build traditionally
14. Climate change & building codes
15. it was good that the panel recognized that one rule will not fit all. Adaption to each country is critical to make codes relevant and not just prescriptive. .
16. how the building codes must be aligned with the statutory requirements.
17. Building Codes updating and enforcement are crucial in creating healthy built environment.
18. That Building Codes are everyone in the construction industry, to follow; the Architects, Engineers, Contractors etc., and not just the Contractors as some believe it should be…
19. Emphasis on the need to revise the building code to address current and future
20. Strategic Role of the Professional in the establishment of a National Building Code and Regulations in the Planning and Design of Public and Private Buildings for Safety of all users.
21. The importance of making building codes a living document
22. the building code needs to comply with different aspects.
23. Emerging issues in formulation of codes (Climate issues etc.)
24. That the development of building codes needs to be specifically suited to each built environment and technologies available.
25. Sustainable/ Green Building Code & Regulations are inevitable, For Building regulations to work they need to be relatable and conforms to culture/norms, More Efforts are needed to spearhead Establishment of sustainable Regulations (Especially Africa)
26. Building codes should be effectively implemented
27. Building Codes should be relevant to the place, are extremely key to development and a must have.
28. Codes are important
29. The consideration of building codes extends beyond their technical nature. They encompass socio-economic factors, necessitating a holistic approach that considers all the aforementioned aspects.
30. Developing countries should strive to develop codes which are 'poor' friendly.
31. Building standards and codes need to be constantly updated to current situations.
32. Diverse Building Codes with similar objectives
33. The importance of building codes in the built environment
34. The more interdisciplinary we go the better codes can be developed
35. Issues are pretty much the same
36. Regulatory impact assessments are key in making legislation including building codes work
37. I was amazed by how many considerably big African countries do not have their own tailored Building codes and still goes after other codes not quite similar to their specific geographical, cultural needs.
38. Compliance to implement building codes still remain a challenge especially in our country Botswana
39. That political will is key for the writing and enforcement of building codes. Committed office bearers and financial resources are both required.
40. That codes need to be tailored to suit economic conditions.
41. In our country, we have code. But implementation of code is quite difficult. How to aware the people and user regarding the good things of the code. I'll try to implement these learning in my practice.
42. Can we also look at building Codes in Southern Africa?
43. That countries around the world are grappling with outdated building codes or non-compliance, an issue that requires a multi-stakeholder’s collaboration to resolve
44. We are not alone. Botswana has a very outdated Building Code and several attempts over the years have not resulted in anything useful being adopted. Worry that the next time we will get another consultancy that leaves us with a foreign code that is worse than the old one we are used to.
45. The necessarily to involve all stake holders in order for implementation to be successful.
46. Very informative indeed
47. For codes to work, compliance must be reasonably achievable by the relevant parties, and code design should cater to this in some way.
48. No building should be designed and executed without the implementation of relevant building codes.
49. The legal aspect of the lectures i
50. Got the opportunity to rate how I thought our Country, Botswana was doing towards compliance and adherence of the Codes. Overall, the Country is complying may 85% or above.
51. How diverse the code works for different nation.
52. Retrofitting in already Built Environment in light of Building Codes
53. Things that Building should or must consider during BC development
54. The importance of not only developing building codes but reviewing them to see implementation challenges.
55. Building Code requirements need constant revision and update
56. I learned about the diverse condition of building codes.
57. It will take a lot of concerted effort and collaboration to achieve what is required of us, particularly in the developing world.
58. Good policy, laws and regulations can be created but enforcement is another challenge
Are there are any other subjects you would like us to cover?
1. Heritage Conservation
2. Renewable Energy
3. Rather than just listening for a long time, there could be occasional break into smaller groups for people to share opinion and get familiarise before coming back to the general group to continue
4. Tropical Architecture
5. Exporting Architectural Services
6. Architectural Typologies across the Commonwealth. Local Vernacular unique to each region.
7. Climate change & disaster resilience and the effects
8. Need for various foundation types and drainage, common may not be most effective as climate change will affects our valleys and slopes. Proper building practices for contractors, engineers, and designers.
9. climate change impact and built environment
10. Artificial Intelligence in Architecture
11. Climate change impact on building codes
12. low-cost design and housing schemes in densely populated areas
13. With climate change being what it is, how will future building look like
14. Sociology & Architecture in 21st century
15. accessibility, affordable housing, incorporation of alternative building materials, tackling corruption in building industry from procurement to site inspectors.
16. Improving Architects and Physical Planners Collaboration to Urban Centres Development
17. Healthier Building Design… “Sick Buildings are causing a lot of harm to the occupants” …
18. Urbanisation and proactive solutions we can provide as architects
19. Architect Practice - Traditional Design versus Design Build Proposals implemented by Governments.
20. resilient design
21. Evolution of architectural practise (BIM, AI applications etc) and the likely effects to the profession.
22. How to incorporate acceptable alternative vernacular building methods in urban building types.
23. technology and architecture
24. Affordable Sustainable Design Solution, Sustainable Construction Methods & Practices, Rain & Storm water Management to Residential buildings
25. Architectural Identity at least per place, country then region. eg one would always no this New York, this London, etc
26. Geopolymers
27. Green Architectural solutions to global warming
28. Common topics of interest within the CAA community, e.g. universal design & accessibility
29. Green buildings, energy efficiency, retrofitting
30. 1. Climate change 2. Sustainable building materials
31. Climate change and housing for informal settlements
32. AI
33. The Ethical Implications of AI in Building Design and Codes
34. Maybe subject on stone building construction/cladding using cement mortars.
35. Import of ESG principles on the practice of architecture in different global contexts
36. How building codes can be adjusted/updated to prioritize energy efficiency.
37. Eliminating the animosity between engineers and architects.
38. Code compliance, use and how to incorporate users to implement the code. Building materials and technology.
39. Green Buildings, carbon footprint of the BE, emerging issues and solutions
40. All the issues! As CAA carries out research or studies it would be wonderful to have speaker touch on the subjects in the papers.
41. Energy and resource efficiency building code for tropical countries
42. Using indigenous material for construction - the challenges of implementation at scale; SHOULD it be used at scale or does this make it unsustainable? How is this line determined?
43. How to improve accessibility of the physically challenged in building design and in urban areas.
44. 1. Project management 2. Arbitration 3. Facility management
45. Enforcement of the Building Codes
46. Architecture for young generation
47. Sustainable Building Materials. Environmental Control in Building System, Conservation. Academic training.
48. National Building Act formation and preparation, Preparation of the standard and specification of the Government Building
49. Heritage conservation within sustainable cities
50. Sustainable and affordable shelter development case studies
51. How to implement Building codes, how can an architect play a role in building codes etc.
52. The evolving role of construction professionals, particularly Architects, in the modern construction industry.
53. Efficient designing in response to various climate changes.
54. Sustainability in design and construction
Please feel free to enter any further comments here.
1. It would be better if the topic extends application of building codes in different regions.
2. It is a very successful exercise by my overall assessment.
3. I am not a great fan of the word ‘climate change’ as I am an environmentalist given that I live in the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific. Building resilience in the face of environmental degradation is indeed crucial, especially for vulnerable regions like the South Pacific islands. While addressing the impact and cost of environmental degradation on building codes is important, it's equally essential to prioritize resilience-building measures. Here are a few reasons why resiliencebuilding should be a key focus: Vulnerability to Environmental Hazards-The South Pacific islands are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Building resilience can help mitigate these risks and protect both infrastructure and communities. Long-Term Cost Savings-While upfront costs of implementing resilient building codes may seem high, they can lead to significant long-term cost savings. Investing in resilient
infrastructure can reduce damage from natural disasters, decrease maintenance and repair costs, and minimize the need for postdegradation reconstruction. Protection of Lives and LivelihoodsBuilding resilience not only safeguards physical structures but also protects lives and livelihoods. By constructing buildings that can withstand environmental challenges, communities can reduce the risk of injury, displacement, and loss of income during disasters. Sustainability and Adaptation-Resilient building practices often align with principles of sustainability and adaptation. This includes using environmentally friendly materials, designing energy-efficient structures, and integrating nature-based solutions like green roofs and permeable pavements, which can help mitigate environmental degradation impacts while enhancing resilience. Community Empowerment and Engagement-Incorporating resilience-building measures into building codes fosters community engagement and empowerment. It encourages collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, builders, architects, and local residents, to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each island. In conclusion, while addressing the impacts and costs of environmental degradation on building codes is important, prioritizing resilience-building measures in the South Pacific islands is essential for safeguarding both infrastructure and communities against the increasingly severe effects of environmental degradation.
4. Informative production and time well spent. I personally look forward in participating in future webinars.
5. The information reveals where we are as a region and where we should be. Draft documents have been put together for years now but have yet to become law or regulation. Its time these be enforced.
6. Thanks for arranging this event. Specially the panel discussion was very informative and engaging.
7. Architectural awareness more especially to people who still think it's a luxury. more especially in Botswana
8. examples of challenges faced on development of effective building should me more elaborative.
9. I think we need to talk about climate change so inclusively so that we can educate the entire people regarding the issue.
10. It would have been good if representatives from developers, insurance or financing, other professions could participate in the debate.
11. very educative and informative especially to those who are newly joined the architectures field.
12. It was a wonderful sitting… Plenty thanks for the invite…
13. Glad to have attended the event, very insightful and would like to attend more of such
14. The 90 Minute Time limit is acceptable as it meets the attention span of the attendees. The Q&A period by way of the chat provides ease of response by the presenters.
15. Keep up the good work
16. time management, I couldn't finish the session because it went far beyond the planned time
17. Future seminars can be longer with more time for Q&A, presentations, and panel discussions.
18. Would like to have presentations from any "third world" countries especially in Africa where Building Codes have been successfully implemented and are being applied.
19. Reference to item two, not all speakers were engaging, congratulations to the moderator, he did a good job
20. CAA to have webinar relating to DEI especially focusing on designing for all.
21. Can we prioritize having more interaction with the speakers and have less of slides and more of case studies
22. The building regulations are there in paper but quite often are being violated by local authority by taking bribes from the developers
23. Sound spatial planning must precede writing and enforcement of codes.
24. Maybe some sessions targeted at students or young professionals now starting their career would be nice.
25. Is it possible for participants to participate and comment on then presentations. Maybe 10 participants in under 30 seconds
26. The starting time was a little early for me here in Botswana so I will be catching up the first speakers in the recording this weekend. The recordings are vital when these take place during work hours.
27. Thanks for continuing to host great events. While I appreciate the effort to be comprehensive on such a broad topic, given the engagement this leads to, perhaps it may be helpful to discuss it in a multi-part series so that the scheduling is more accurate. :)
28. CAA should engage the speakers from the country where building codes are not being implemented are overlooked
29. I will give the event a 10 over 10 score
30. Found the seminar valuable overall
31. Thank you for the certificate � � � �
32. Waiting for my Certificate of attendance.
33. The event was so good especially for Tanzania as far as we are developing Building Code at the moment.
34. I was unable to respond to the surveys being conducted during the sessions.
35. I like it and want more.
36. Here's looking forward to many more informative sessions.
Appendix I, Certificate of Participation
Attached is a copy of the Certificate of Participation that was sent to each participant upon completion of the event.
is hereby granted to Vincent Moapare
To certify their attendance at an event on the subject of
Making Building Codes Work
135-minute participation, 12 March 2024
Peter Oborn CAA President