Solutions from The Better Living Challenge on show from October

29 Sep 2014

The Better Living Challenge was a design competition calling for green and affordable products, systems and services to improve the homes of people living in low-income communities. The solutions are on show in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town Station Forecourt.

The V&A Waterfront exhibition will feature a number of plinths offering information and product and prototype displays. These will be placed in the main retail area, with the aim of communicating to a broader audience interested in sustainability. This exhibition will be taking place from 6-26 October 2014.

Solutions from The Better Living Challenge on show from October

Interactive event

Premier Helen Zille, MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela (Human Settlements) and MEC Alan Winde (Economic Opportunities) will officially open the event at the Cape Station Forecourt on Thursday 30 October 2014. This is an interactive event, taking place from 28 October to 8 November 2014. It comprises of an exhibition and life-size interactive displays, with lunchtime talks and debates from 29 October 2014.

On show at both events are a display of solutions by the finalists and exhibitors whose innovative, affordable and green solutions aim to address some of the problems faced by people living in low-income communities.

Winde said, "In the spirit of our motto 'Better Together', we put the challenge out to our residents to come up with innovative, sustainable solutions for low-income housing. The entries we received far outweighed our expectations, and I am looking forward to seeing the winning concepts brought to life in a way that improves livelihoods in our province."

The selection panel of 47 industry experts identified 23 finalists and 33 exhibitors out of the 130 entries received. It nominated three finalists in the Connected Home category, 8 in the Comfortable Home category and 12 in the Structural Home category. In addition, it identified a further 33 projects of merit that will exhibit as part of the Showcase, but are not in line to win an award. To ensure fairness, the selection process was independently observed by KPMG.

Prizes to support development

There are three grand prizes that each consist of half a million rand's worth of support services to enable these solutions getting to market. Three student entries will each receive a R40,000 cash prize. The concept facilitates the concept-to-market value chain for innovative and affordable home improvement solutions. The project is specifically aimed at lower LSM groups, although innovations can apply across various communities.

The Better Living Challenge is project-managed by the Cape Craft + Design Institute (CCDI), on behalf of the Western Cape Government's 110% Green initiative, which encourages organisations to commit to the Green Economy. It is a collaborative project between the public and private sector, and civil society demonstrating that these partnerships work to promote economic development. It is an official project of the Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 programme.

For more information, go to www.betterlivingchallenge.co.za.