Embrace smart home technology in government’s housing agenda

In implementing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s housing pillar of his ‘Big Four’ agenda, the government ought to embrace smart home technology to address issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, the welfare of people living with disabilities as well as the elderly, and security.

That would involve total use of solar or wind power — or both — to meet all the energy needs of the homes and not rely on the national grid, which primarily running on hydropower, a non-green source of electricity.

Smart devices that switch off electronic appliances when not in use would save a lot of energy.

Incorporation of electronically controlled ramps and other utilities needed by the disabled and the elderly would improve their quality of life and reduce the cost of hiring nurses for them.

The technology makes it easy to use space only when needed.

In Australia, a technology, “bright green home”, involves the use of building blocks connected by hinges. This makes it possible to ‘fold’ a house when necessary into fewer rooms.

This is economical use of space and land, which is a critical but limited aspect of production.

Smart technology would also entail automatic opening of windows to ensure sufficient ventilation.

This involves the installation of sensors to detect indoor changes in temperature, which is then regulated to ensure the occupants are comfortable.

Regulation of temperature is also critical in checking indoor air pollution. Growth of fungi and release of fungal spores and mycotoxins (which are carcinogenic) is largely dependent on indoor temperatures and moisture, which are modifiable through use of smart home technology.

In the United States, a green building council (www.usgbc.org) serves as the central hub to the American green building industry.

Kenya should take a leaf from such innovative hubs and make smart home technology a critical aspect of our building industry through the necessary legal and policy frameworks.

The use of smart home technology makes a home an appliance, not a container, and is one of the most appropriate ways to pre-adapt vulnerable populations to climate change and to mitigate global warming.

It is increasingly becoming impossible for landowners to protect their property.

There have been invasions of both public and private land in several parts of the country, leading to protracted conflicts and costly demolitions amid an acute shortage of housing.

At Athi River, for instance, government land is said to have been invaded and sold. The forcible takeover is more complex and elaborate than gangs marching into unoccupied land and hiving it off.

Land ownership records and documents should be safeguarded to avert a crisis.