With billions of dollars in housing lost to disasters in the region over the years, a new building standard from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency was launched today. The ‘Build Safe Constructing Homes for Tomorrow’ brought a number of players together to develop and implement the standards as well as training programmes which certify contractors.
Outstanding Barbadian senior athlete Ainsley Lovell has her eyes set on bettering her 2023 performances when she heads to this year’s edition of the Huntsman Games in Utah. The 70-year-old, who is the most decorated local athlete in the history of the games with 130 medals, says she plans to add to her tally when the event takes place from October 7th-19th. Lovell, along with Kathy Harper-Hall, will be inducted into the Huntsman Senior Games Hall of Fame this year. She says it’s a privilege to receive the accolade.
The Ministry of Housing is working to identify new building designs and innovative building technologies as it seeks to upgrade housing schemes across Barbados. Minister of Housing Dwight Sutherland says they have committed to providing 2000 housing solutions yearly between the public and private sector. He was speaking at the Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference. Among the new technology being considered is sugarcrete, which is sugarcane bagasse mixed with sand mineral binders to produce bricks that have a carbon footprint six times smaller than traditional bricks. Furthermore, officials are seeking to integrate the autoclaved aerated concrete products into the island’s building design and construction practices, with a view to reducing indoor air quality issues. Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Sandra Husbands says rebuilding the built environment will provide the world with trillions of dollars in gross domestic product.
