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The Manifesto

Universal principles of climate responsive design arising from experience in East Africa

Involve project stakeholders in every stage of the design and construction process for low-carbon, long-lasting buildings that effectively fulfil the needs of users.

Support local labour and develop local skills

Leverage the construction process to build local capacity and provide training and work opportunities for the local community.

Grow or salvage local materials

Use local materials with low embodied carbon, which are preferably grown or recycled such as responsibly sourced timber from managed plantations.

Design with climate not against it

Utilise passive ventilation strategies, natural daylighting and energy from the sun, but protect from solar overheating and glare.

Nurture the local eco-system

Biodiverse natural landscapes promote health and wellbeing, provide climatic cooling and mitigation against the effects of extreme weather events.

Produce clean on-site energy

On-site renewable energy generation can cover or supplement energy requirements and help to offset embodied carbon in the building fabric.

Use sustainable water sources
Provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities

Ensure healthy disposal and recycling of human waste, as well as adequate hand washing facilities and clean filtered water for human consumption.

Share knowledge and experience

Designers, builders and building users should work together to combat climate change and learn from successes and failures.

Avoid the pitfalls of the industrialised world

Developing countries can leapfrog the industrialised world through constructing passive buildings and investing in clean energy and smart Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies.

Engage in a participatory design process
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