We recently hosted an insightful webinar that explored emerging digital tools and assessment frameworks that support evidence‑based decision‑making in the selection and deployment of Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) across South Africa.
This session brought together practical platforms and methodologies that help public officials, practitioners, and technology developers navigate the complex IBT landscape. Participants gained a clear understanding of how these tools guide technology discovery, suitability assessment, and real‑world application across diverse human settlement contexts.
The webinar showcased three key innovations:
1. DSTI’s Technologies for Service Delivery (T4SD) Database: A new digital platform designed to help users discover and compare housing and basic service technologies best suited to South African conditions. It provides structured information to support appropriate and context‑relevant technology choices.
- Presenter: Ms Nosizo Sebake is a Senior Researcher in the CSIR Smart Places’ Housing and Urban Studies group, where she works on tools, methods, and applied research to support decision‑making in the human settlements and built‑environment sectors. Her research focus includes sustainable building assessment, innovative building technologies (IBTs), and the analysis of urban and housing systems. In her current work, she manages the Technology for Service Delivery (T4SD) platform, for the DSTI, to support practitioners and policymakers in selecting and assessing appropriate innovative building technologies.
See presentation (PDF, 825KB)
2. HBRC’s IBT Analyser: A structured assessment tool that evaluates the suitability of innovative building systems for specific use cases. The Analyser supports compliant, informed, and transparent decision‑making for public and private sector adopters of IBTs.
- Presenter: Ms Lutendo Thanyani is an Innovative Building Technologies (IBT) Specialist at the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), with over 10 years of experience in the built environment and human settlements sector. She holds a BTech in Geology from the Tshwane University of Technology and is pursuing a BSc Honours in Engineering and Technology Management at the University of Pretoria. A Candidate Scientist registered with SACNASP, she leads the implementation, assessment, and oversight of IBT at the NHBRC, contributing significantly to the Centre for Research and Housing Innovation. She also serves on the Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Human Settlements (STI4SHS) Committee, advancing green and sustainable building technologies aligned with national priorities.
See presentation (PDF, 1.10MB)
3. CSIR’s Disaster‑Response Shelter Deployment Research: A case study illustrating how technical criteria guide rapid, fit‑for‑purpose shelter solutions during emergencies, such as floods. The research highlights how IBT assessment principles can be applied under crisis conditions.
- Presenter: Dr Coralie van Reenen is a Professional Architect, holding a doctoral degree from the University of Pretoria, and is the Research Group Leader of the Infrastructure Innovation Research Group at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Her research considers health, well-being and sustainability in the built environment, with a focus on driving the digital transformation and performance monitoring. She is active in promoting innovation and transformation in the human settlements and public infrastructure sector. As a Green Star Accredited Professional, Coralie has a thorough understanding of the principles of sustainable design, in terms of social, economic and environmental sustainability. She has experience in the development of norms and standards, design guidelines, and policies, and in the implementation of innovative building technologies.
See presentation (PDF, 2.20MB)
To see the recording of the event, please go to our YouTube channel.
For a full list of our other webinar please see our Index of uKESA Webinars.
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