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In line with the South African government’s increased focus on the built environment, specifically infrastructure, the CSIR uses its multidisciplinary capabilities to develop innovations and solutions that will improve the built environment in a sustainable manner.
The vast majority of CSIR research, development and innovation activities relating to the built environment are combined within the CSIR Built Environment Unit in competence areas as set out below.
See four-page profile on CSIR Built Environment and articles on some projects in the built environment edition of CSIR ScienceScope.)
Core focus
CSIR Built Environment supports South Africa’s competitive performance and welfare of its people through the development of technological solutions and the generation of knowledge to develop an efficient and globally-competitive built environment system in urban and rural areas.
Infrastructure
The CSIR conducts relevant research, development and innovation to develop solutions for cost-effective, long-lasting infrastructure as well as to maintain, improve and manage existing infrastructure.
Infrastructure and its associated operations are prerequisites for economic growth and social development. It is a national priority to expand and improve infrastructure such as roads, rail networks, bridges, airports, buildings and other facilities, without forfeiting environmental sustainability. Social development takes place only with proper provision of basic amenities such as hospitals, schools and housing, together with infrastructure for electricity supply, water and sanitation.
Competence Areas
To address the challenges the country faces in this regard, CSIR Built Environment has clustered its R&D expertise into the following competence areas:
- Building science and technology
- Infrastructure engineering
- Infrastructure systems and operations
- Logistics and quantitative methods
- Planning support systems
- Agrément South Africa, the national certification agency for innovative and non-standard construction products and services. The agency is managed by CSIR Built Environment.
Against this backdrop, future activities within the CSIR’s built environment research impact area will also focus on the built environment as a complex system; logistics and infrastructure operations; transport infrastructure; sustainable human settlements; information and communications technology (ICT) and sensors.
Enquiries - CSIR Built Environment Executive Director
Dr Cornelius Ruiters, tel 012-841-3051, email cruiters@csir.co.za
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