The PURSUE Project

Promoting Sustainable, Affordable Housing Construction Technologies Using Environmentally Sound Locally Available Resources

is an Erasmus+ CBHE initiative aimed at addressing the critical housing challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Why PURSUE?

Access to durable, hazard-resilient, sustainable, and affordable housing is vital for ensuring equality, public health, education, and the delivery of social services. However, many least developed countries, particularly in Africa, face a significant housing deficit, worsened by natural and man-made hazards. For instance, countries like Somalia face ongoing displacement due to drought, floods, and conflict.

The housing sector not only offers shelter and security but also drives economic growth, health outcomes, educational success, and gender equality. It also stimulates job creation across the real estate ecosystem and supports the development of local supply chains and infrastructure. Given the environmental impacts of traditional construction, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly, locally sourced materials, such as earth, known for its affordability, sustainability, thermal insulation, and low environmental footprint.

PURSUE’s Mission

PURSUE aims to promote the use of locally available, eco-friendly construction materials by fostering collaboration among higher education institutions (HEIs), professionals, and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project brings together partners from Turkey, Portugal, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Somalia, with shared goals aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals including:

• Industry innovation and infrastructure • Sustainable cities and communities • Responsible consumption and production • Climate action • Partnerships for development

Project Development and Objectives

The project was shaped by a comprehensive needs analysis, including regional data and stakeholder surveys. It aims t... [truncated]