Built environment

Quality of low income housing to be improved Using innovative technology, the CSIR has demonstrated significant performance and sustainability enhancements for low income housing. Funded by the DST, the CSIR designed and constructed a demonstration house on its Pretoria test site.

CSIR assesses sustainability performance of refurbished Transnet building Nosizo Sebake of the CSIR undertook a sustainability assessment of the design of a refurbished Transnet Pattern Store building late last year. She used the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool (SBAT) developed by CSIR colleague Dr Jeremy Gibberd.

CSIR introduces beta version of spatial analysis tool A group of 30 participants received training during June on aspects of the beta version of GAP3, the CSIR-developed geospatial analysis platform. The group consisted of CSIR staff as well as external attendees.

CSIR paves the way for knowledge transfer to Ethiopia Novel technologies to ensure sustainable infrastructure, notably improved design methods for low volume roads, were on the agenda recently when CSIR Built Environment experts shared their knowledge with a delegation of 12 road engineers and professionals from Ethiopia.

Planning and modelling introduced to postgraduates Twelve Master's students busy with their course work were introduced recently to real-life applications of integrated planning development and modelling tools and systems at the CSIR.

Hospital engineering honorary life membership for Abbott The South African Federation of Hospital Engineering (SAFHE) has awarded the CSIR's Geoff Abbott with honorary life membership, which has been bestowed on only five individuals in the more than 30 years of the organisation's existence.