Assessing the durability environmental impact and cost benefits of offsite construction in enhancing housing affordability in Uganda

This study looks at how offsite construction (OSC) can help make housing more affordable in Uganda, which faces a shortage of over 2.4 million housing units. Survey was adopted to gather data from 284 people, including homeowners, architects, engineers, contractors, and policymakers. This helped to understand different views on OSC's durability, environmental performance, and cost-effectiveness. Data were analyzed focusing on key durability indicators like structural integrity, resistance to weather and pests, maintenance needs, and long-term performance. Environmental impact was assessed using indicators such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and reduced carbon footprint. For costs, material savings, labor efficiency, and shorter construction times were evaluated. Findings show that many view OSC as a strong and reliable method of construction. Structural integrity was rated at 4.10 and weather resistance at 3.95. The environmental benefits are clear, with waste reduction at 4.10 and resource conservation at 4.05, highlighting OSC’s role in promoting sustainable housing. There are also significant cost benefits. Material costs dropped by 18.2%, labor costs by 21.7%, and time-related expenses by 38.5%. This led to an overall 22.5% decrease in construction costs compared to traditional methods. Major barriers to adoption include limited access to quality materials (58.5%), a lack of skilled labor (54.2%), and insufficient regulations (49.3%). The study provides specific evidence that OSC is a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution to Uganda’s housing crisis. These findings emphasize the need for policy support, workforce training, and stronger supply chains. By combining strength, environmental efficiency, and economic benefits, OSC offers a new way to provide affordable, sustainable housing and tackle the issues of rapid urban growth in Uganda.