DUBAI: The Egyptian construction sector, like much of the rest of the world, is battling slowdown effects from the coronavirus pandemic.
Even as its capital city Cairo gingerly reopens following a nationwide lockdown, construction firms face a range of challenges such as socially distanced labor shifts and therefore lower capacity.
That’s according to Radwa Rostom, the founder of Hand Over, a design and build company dedicated to bringing sustainable buildings to Egypt’s masses.
She says her mission is “to transform the construction industry by creating an alternative that is sustainable and cost-effective, as well as inspiring a community development approach through social projects.”
This picture taken on March 13, 2020 shows an aerial view of ongoing construction development at Egypt's "New Administrative Capital" megaproject, some 45 kilometres east of Cairo. (AFP/File Photo)
Founded in 2015, the 10-person enterprise has already successfully delivered a range of projects, such as a community center for bedouins in Saint Catherine, in collaboration with the “Catherine Exists” initiative; a community school on the outskirts of Giza, in collaboration with Man Ahyaha NGO; and the environmentally friendly headquarters of a new agricultural startup company.
Rostom says Hand Over will be pushing ahead with a new spate of projects, despite some clients having faced funding issues due to the economic effects of coronavirus. “It hasn’t been a smooth ride but we are trying to be visionary and look ahead. The virus won’t always be here,” she said.
The upcoming months will see the commencement of phase two of the bedouin community center — an adjoining education unit. Hand Over is also working on a healing retreat building and has plans to build a community school in Upper Egypt, with funds from local corporate social responsibility campaigns.
FASTFACT
‘Rammed Earth Technique’
The technique is a cheaper alternative to using concrete and steel, plus is good for hot climates.
She said: “We utilize sustainable materials that are available within our community and show how we can use them wisely. We involve the community in the construction, so they will also gain new knowledge that they can use by themselves.”
Most of Hand Over’s current development projects are administered hand-in-hand with local NGOs, however Hand Over is also making a play for the commercial sustainable construction market. “As some of our NGO-partnered projects are on hold, we have begun promising discussions with real estate firms for professional design and build contracts. We have also established conversations with Egypt’s growing community of ecotourism developers,” Rostom said.
Hand Over uses innovative building processes, such as the “rammed earth” technique. The company also promotes the idea of sustainability in design and makes use of natural resources, such as sunlight. “The rammed earth technique is a cheaper alternative to using concrete and steel. It is good for hot climates because it provides good insulation.”
This picture taken on June 20, 2020 shows a view of the exterior of the currently under construction Sharm El-Sheikh Museum, in the Red Sea resort city on the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai peninsula. (AFP/File Photo)
By using local materials and laborers, Hand Over’s construction costs are lowered and the revenues are channeled back into the community. The company’s projects are often structured around a “wall bearing” system, which means the building is dependent on a wall for support — this type of solution is cost-effective.
In the coming months, Hand Over will explore the provision of consultancy services, such as energy efficiency simulation, to further support the local construction industry. The company is also looking into supplying the sector with “blocks” (bricks) made of sustainable materials.
According to Rostom, the Egyptian construction sector is still in the early stages of take-up of sustainable solutions. “There is so much awareness building still to be done. We have work to do to show how buildings can be sustainably erected, right from the start of the process,” she said.
“We want to showcase that it is possible to use sustainable materials, designs that make use of natural resources, all while engaging local hiring to support the community.”
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This report is being published by Arab News as a partner of the Middle East Exchange, which was launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to reflect the vision of the UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai to explore the possibility of changing the status of the Arab region.
