Prefabrication in Developing Countries: a case study of India

Author- Ryan E. Smith, Shilpa Narayanamurthy

Abstract-
The research paper written by Ryan E. Smith, Shilpa Narayanamurthy revolves
around prefabrication Construction in India. This paper illustrates the advantages and
disadvantages of prefabrication adoption in the Indian culture and suggests ways in which
developed countries’ architects and local building professionals may take a leadership
role in bringing up both culture and technology.
Review-
First of all the Paper goes on with the history of Arrival of Prefabrication in India
by Hindustan housing factory or Hindustan Prefab limited followed by some brief about
its efficiency, advantages and limitations in context with India.
Further in the paper the authors have noted down the advantages and disadvantages in
accordance with India like the Ethical dilemmas that can arrive in both the transferring
and more over in the receiving country. Prefabrication construction being fast and
affordable will take over the traditional construction affecting culture and environment
negatively. Transportation cost can remain a major drawback in a developing country as
compared to a developed country. Authors have described it with the example of
Auroville Earth Institute of New Delhi. Prefab necessarily involves fewer laborers on site
which might affect the employment status in India. Countries with a rich cultural
background like in India find it hard to accept drastic changes that involve a great deal of
compromises in every field. With India continuing to lack in education, questions arise as
to how this country will be able to offer equitable opportunity for work in the new
technology economy. Authors have also discussed the prefabrication construction with
respect to the vernacular and local climate which concluded that prefabrication may not
always put up to all type of climatic regions.
Conclusion-
At last the authors have concluded by saying that prefabrication is not transferred
in developing countries easily as it is a production technology or knowledge based and
not a consumption technology or product based.
The paper is quite informative regarding the advantages, disadvantages, limitations of
prefabrication construction in India.