Nairobi, Kenya — A pioneering effort in sustainable construction is taking shape across Africa, starting in Kenya. The Centre for Science and Technology Innovation (CSTI) has established the BIISORY Consortium— a Biodiversity Intactness Advisory for the Construction Sector.  In collaboration with Konza Technopolis and the Kenya State Department of Public Works, the BIISORY Consortium is launching a series of NetZero construction pilots that promise to transform the way buildings are designed and constructed across the continent.

What is BIISORY?

The BIISORY Consortium is an innovative alliance (under formation) focused on integrating biodiversity preservation into the construction sector. By advising on and implementing practices that maintain biodiversity intactness, BIISORY is setting new standards for sustainable development. The consortium includes a diverse group of stakeholders, from government agencies, innovation companies, wildlife conservation groups, non-profit technical assistance providers for construction, and research institutions to policymakers, all united in their mission to promote construction methods that contribute to a NetZero future.

In addition to technical performance standards, the Consortium is also working with finance experts and investors to explore innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance, that lower the cost of construction and increase the affordability of NetZero houses and buildings.

Leads

(updated October4, 2024)

Collaborators

(updated October4, 2024)

NetZero Construction Pilots: A New Era for African Infrastructure

Kenya is at the forefront of BIISORY’s efforts, serving as the launchpad for a series of NetZero construction pilots. NetZero is not just about emissions reduction, NetZero is about designing communities that reduce waste, pollutants, and biodiversity loss. Poorly planned urban areas increase building density, biodiversity loss and pollutants. The BIISORY Consortium is creating model templates that integrate biodiversity and health into the urban fabric.

These projects aim to reduce the escape of greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of biodiversity to zero during the construction and operational phases of buildings. But the impact of these pilots is expected to reach far beyond Kenya, with plans to expand the initiative to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and other African countries.

(updated October4, 2024)

Innovative Approaches for a Sustainable Future

The BIISORY Consortium is not just about reducing emissions; it’s about rethinking how we build in harmony with the environment. The pilots incorporate several cutting-edge technologies and practices:

1. 3D-Printed Construction: One of the most exciting aspects of BIISORY’s approach is the use of 3D printing in construction. This technology significantly reduces waste, shortens construction times, and allows for the creation of complex, eco-friendly designs that are tailored to local climates and conditions.

2. Circular Biochar: As part of its commitment to circular economy principles, BIISORY is promoting the use of biochar derived from construction waste. This biochar can be used as a soil amendment in urban greening projects, enhancing soil fertility, promoting plant growth, and sequestering carbon, which helps mitigate climate change.

3. Constructed Wetlands and Phytoremediation: To manage water sustainably, the consortium is integrating constructed wetlands into its building designs. These wetlands naturally filter and purify water, reducing the need for energy-intensive treatment processes. Additionally, phytoremediation—using plants to remove contaminants from the soil and water—ensures that the construction sites contribute to healthier ecosystems.

4. Integrated Landscape Restoration Services: BIISORY land use planning models focus on sequestering carbon and buffering the built environment from weather stress and climate extremes. Public health depends on biodiversity health. Designing landscaping by creating urban green spaces and corridors with indigenous trees that support biodiversity, create inclusive commons, connect green spaces with peri-urban ecosystems, while honoring heritage and culture is the hallmark of the new Landscape Restoration industry emerging globally.

(updated October4, 2024)

Relevance Across Africa

While the pilots are starting in Kenya, the principles and technologies developed by the BIISORY Consortium have broad relevance. In Nigeria and Zimbabwe, where rapid urbanization is putting pressure on local ecosystems, these sustainable construction practices offer a pathway to growth that doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. By maintaining biodiversity intactness and promoting carbon-neutral building techniques, BIISORY is helping these countries achieve their development goals while addressing the global challenge of climate change.

Benefits Beyond Construction

The benefits of BIISORY’s approach extend beyond the construction sector. By enhancing urban green spaces with biochar and improving water quality through constructed wetlands, these projects also contribute to the health and well-being of communities. The use of sustainable materials and techniques reduces the environmental footprint of new developments, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving, biodiverse environment.

A Model for the Future

The BIISORY Consortium is setting a new standard for construction in Africa—one that prioritizes biodiversity, sustainability, and innovation. As these NetZero pilots take root in Kenya and spread to other countries, they offer a model for how Africa can build a prosperous future that is in harmony with nature. With the world watching, BIISORY is proving that it’s possible to develop infrastructure that supports both human and environmental well-being.