Page:SELECTED ESSAYS of Dr. S. S. KALBAG.pdf/263

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LOW COST HOUSING - VIGYAN ASHRAM APPROACH At present, the types of housing vary from the "nearly zero cost zopadpatti" built out of scrap, to very expensive urban housing. In this context, what do we mean by Low Cost Housing? We aim at minimizing the cost of housing that would be acceptable to the lower middle class urban and rural population, who normally lead the society in the adoption of new ideas and products. This housing should be acceptable to the lowest rungs of society, twenty years into the future. Today it should be better than what the poorer sections can afford, in existing designs. The Approach A break-up of the housing costs indicates the following potential areas for cost reduction: a. Specifications: area, amenities, strength b. Choice of materials: steel, cement, mud, plastics c. Design parameters d. Productivity e. Factors of ignorance f. Contractors' excessive profits Our approach may be called the "Ford T" approach and is as follows: « Rural Development Through Education System 250