Process of Physical Growth in Self-Help Housing

Abstract

This paper contributes to the view that the housing construction practices in cities in developing countries are differ in nature and extent from, those of developed countries. The findings of an investigation from a field survey conducted in a typical location in the capital of Bangladesh are presented in order to explore culturally-rooted housing construction practices. The survey illustrates that households are intimately involved in the process of creating and controlling modern apartment developments. The owner-builders split the whole construction works into several smaller tasks and then build the apartments in a piecemeal process. They first construct their own dwelling units and then construct additional units for rental use depending on affordability, practicality and expediency. About 75% of all dwelling units in the study area are constructed in a self-help piecemeal construction process. The owner-builders gradually acquire construction skills during the construction period and then continue construction of their apartments over a period of 20-25 years until completion.