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Ecomaterials in Social Housing Projects
Centre for Research Development of Structures
and Materials Universidad Central de las
Villas Carretera a Camajuani km 5 ½ Santa Clara
54830, Villa Clara, Cuba Telephone 53 42
281064-65 Fax [phone] e-mail
F.Martirena_at_enet.cu
Main Purpose of the Project Develop and further
disseminate an innovative system of production
and marketing of ecomaterials at municipal scale,
as an alternative for local provision to owners
whose apartments or houses need repair, above all
in disaster prone areas.

• Project Context
• Decrease in the availability of materials
• Quicker deterioration of houses due to lack of
  maintenance
• Hurricanes and floods

Impact of the Project Social the population has
gained access to affordable materials for house
construction and renovation. Economic the local
economy at municipal level has been favored by
new income and job opportunities Technological
the new technologies have proven their
viability Ecological lower transportation and
energy costs

• Main Results
• 2,300 family houses renovated (2000-2005).
• 19 new ecomaterials workshops in commercial
  operation in Cuba (2006).
• 200 new direct jobs created
• 1,500 tons of pozzolanic cement CP-40 , 3.6
  million hollow concrete blocks and 150,000
  roofing tiles were produced.

• Lessons learnt
• A solid and efficient infrastructure for the
  manufacture of building materials must be created
  at municipal scale.
• Local governments must contribute to the
  financial and social viability of the newly
  created manufacturing facilities.
• Self help construction is more flexible and
  yields better results at lower costs.

• Project activities
• Production of ecomaterials in local workshops at
  municipal scale for the housing market.
• Creation and implementation of a decentralized
  model for housing management at municipal scale.
• Organization of the community for the renovation
  of houses

• Innovative technology development
• Fundamental research is done in cooperation with
  Universities in North America Europe.
• Applied research and machinery manufacture is
  done in Cuba
• Technology transferred from Cuba to other
  developing countries (South-to-south)

Improvements to housing system
The technologies
Project implementation in Cuba and worldwide
The project is in a frank process of
dissemination and replication. A second phase
will be implemented from 2007-2010 in Cuba. CIDEM
and Ecosur provide consultancy in establishing
comprehensive know-how transfer, scientific
knowledge appropriation, technical training and
business skills.