Bamboo is increasingly being recognized as a sustainable and viable material for building in Fiji, shifting away from its traditional use in low-cost structures. Jon Orton, president and director of the Construction Industry Council, is a strong advocate for this trend, citing bamboo’s remarkable resilience against cyclones and earthquakes. He notes that using bamboo for construction can be around 20 to 25 percent less expensive than employing concrete blocks, providing an attractive alternative for affordable housing solutions.
Orton shared these insights at the EXTRA Fiji Architecture Conference and Trade Exhibition, which took place on November 14-15 in Denarau, Nadi. He stressed the importance of collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the government architect and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), to set standards for bamboo construction. Once these standards receive engineering approval, they will be proposed as an appendix to the National Building Code.
Amid discussions on Fiji’s evident housing crisis, it was highlighted that the current average construction costs for low-cost housing are around $1,300 per square meter. In contrast, building with bamboo and precast cement panels could reduce these costs significantly to between $700 and $800 per square meter. This substantial price difference opens up opportunities for making housing more affordable in both low-cost and premium market segments.
Support for bamboo construction is gaining traction from various sectors. The Fiji Bamboo Association points to an abundance of local bamboo resources that remain underutilized. By developing this industry, there is potential for creating jobs and constructing stronger, more resilient buildings.
The Fiji Bamboo Project represents a significant initiative aimed at utilizing bamboo in construction sustainably. This project, funded by New Zealand and Ireland, is focused on promoting environmentally friendly practices in bamboo production and usage, addressing the urgent need for affordable and resilient housing while minimizing ecological impacts.
There is a growing sense of optimism about how bamboo construction can enhance living standards and empower marginalized communities through job creation and skills training. As these efforts progress, the integration of bamboo into the building industry could lead to a transformative approach that aligns economic needs with environmental sustainability, fostering a hopeful and progressive future for Fiji.