Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorAuerbach-Jahaheeah, Jessica
dc.contributor.authorEssa, Nabeela
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-22T09:33:55Z
dc.date.available2026-06-22T09:33:55Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.date.updated2026-06-22T09:04:28Z
dc.description.abstractThis study examines the potential of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) to help address South Africa's social housing crisis. Although 3DPC has advanced globally, its local adoption remains limited, raising questions about the socio-economic, political, and institutional factors shaping its diffusion. The research employs an interpretivist, inductive design using expert interviews to explore how society–technology relations may evolve in this context. Findings highlight opportunities for rapid, affordable housing delivery but also reveal barriers including land access, regulatory uncertainty, procurement constraints, labour displacement risks, and cultural resistance. The study makes both practical and theoretical contributions. Practically, it proposes a sequenced implementation roadmap that combines demonstration projects in social infrastructure with targeted incentives and reskilling initiatives. Theoretically, it applies and extends the integrated approach of Atteridge and Weitz (2017), combining Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) and Political Economy Interpretive (PEI) frameworks within the broader Political Economy of Technology (PET) lens. In doing so, the study refines an established methodology for application in construction and social housing, advancing inclusive innovation scholarship whilst offering insights into the conditions shaping the adoption of 3DPC in South Africa.
dc.identifier.apacitationEssa, N. (2026). <i>Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Graduate School of Business (GSB). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationEssa, Nabeela. <i>"Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Graduate School of Business (GSB), 2026. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationEssa, N. 2026. Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Graduate School of Business (GSB). http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Essa, Nabeela AB - This study examines the potential of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) to help address South Africa's social housing crisis. Although 3DPC has advanced globally, its local adoption remains limited, raising questions about the socio-economic, political, and institutional factors shaping its diffusion. The research employs an interpretivist, inductive design using expert interviews to explore how society–technology relations may evolve in this context. Findings highlight opportunities for rapid, affordable housing delivery but also reveal barriers including land access, regulatory uncertainty, procurement constraints, labour displacement risks, and cultural resistance. The study makes both practical and theoretical contributions. Practically, it proposes a sequenced implementation roadmap that combines demonstration projects in social infrastructure with targeted incentives and reskilling initiatives. Theoretically, it applies and extends the integrated approach of Atteridge and Weitz (2017), combining Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) and Political Economy Interpretive (PEI) frameworks within the broader Political Economy of Technology (PET) lens. In doing so, the study refines an established methodology for application in construction and social housing, advancing inclusive innovation scholarship whilst offering insights into the conditions shaping the adoption of 3DPC in South Africa. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - inclusive innovation KW - 3D printed concrete KW - social housing South Africa KW - political economy of technology KW - technological innovation systems KW - political economy interpretive framework LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2026 T1 - Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective TI - Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationEssa N. Exploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Graduate School of Business (GSB), 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43341en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentGraduate School of Business (GSB)
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectinclusive innovation
dc.subject3D printed concrete
dc.subjectsocial housing South Africa
dc.subjectpolitical economy of technology
dc.subjecttechnological innovation systems
dc.subjectpolitical economy interpretive framework
dc.titleExploring the adoption of 3D printed concrete for social housing in South Africa: a socio-technical and political economy perspective
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPhil
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_com_2026_essa nabeela.pdf
Size:
2.67 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters