Stone Arch Bridges

Stone arch bridges are a strong and cost effective technology for rural roads. This manual provides supervisors of stone arch bridge works an easy step by step guide ensuring adherence to quality requirements and construction methodology.

Gender, Roads, and Mobility in Asia

Kyoko Kusakabe

Poor roads and transport infrastructure are key factors in the marginalization of women and other disempowered groups, but there is little understanding of the many ways in which a lack of mobility affects people’s lives. In South-east Asia, huge strides are being made in highway development and reg...

Sustainable Cities

Mélanie Robertson

As urbanization, environmental degradation, and poverty become increasingly urgent problems, understanding the links between sustainability and poverty reduction is imperative. A sustainable urban future for all requires raising the quality of life of the most vulnerable. Existing at the margins of...

Rammed Earth Structures

Julian Keable, Rowland Keable

Ramming earth has been a method of construction for centuries in many parts of the world and the technique can produce buildings that are strong, durable, safe and desirable. Because earth is an abundant and cheap resource, rammed earth buildings are often very economical. To achieve the best result...

Spurs and Dykes for Flood Protection

Spurs and dykes are structures that protect river banks and contain flood waters. They can be built by communities using stones and wire.

Introduction to Concrete Building Products

Concrete can be considered to be any material which has been fabricated from a binder and a filling material.

The Construction of Timberless House Model

The conflict in Darfur, which most analysts judge to have started in 2003 has had a devastating effect on the region. Many of the internally displaced people (IDPs) who were forced to flee their homes have ended up living in make-shift camps around the major cities such as Alfashir, Algenenina and N...

Technical Guidelines for Gravity Goods Ropeway

A rope based transport system for mountainous regions.

Code of Practice for Cost Effective Boreholes

Code of Practice for Cost Effective Boreholes Technical Brief

Flood Resistant Housing

Bangladesh has regular floods putting people at risk. This brief describes some flood resistant housing options.