It's Time to Build Strong, Lightweight, Yet Affordable

As the financial repercussions of the pandemic gradually set in, more of us will become focused on "whatever it takes" to keep a roof over our heads. Towards this end, flexible building components of all kinds are needed - especially for anyone already experiencing difficulties with rent and mortgage costs before the pandemic even began. The more mobile options we have for physical infrastructure and buildings in the near future, the greater our chances of continued economic stability.

Where to start? Initially, until 3D printing becomes more widespread for local manufacture, building components and their associated infrastructure, could be designed and implemented in various locations around the country. Once these new markets start to go into effect, they would gradually assume retail connections in communities which can open their doors to the appropriate zoning and regulatory variance. I continue to hope that plastics manufacturers are already experimenting with materials suited for these purposes. Plus, the more plastics in production which can be recycled locally for more building materials and infrastructure, the better.

In contrast with the response of temporary fiscal stimulus for businesses and employment losses, affordable building components would be a gift that keeps on giving, via lower monthly financial obligations. And even though affordable building components can especially help lower income levels, they would also provide means to "start fresh", for many who face temporary setbacks due to the economic circumstance of the pandemic.

Ownership of flexible building components could take place incrementally. The most basic starter units, for instance, would include built in (manufactured) electrical and plumbing. This would be an especially important regulatory variance, since the costs of normally required skilled labour for electrical and plumbing, tend to prevent home ownership for those with limited income. These costs stand in the way of lower income levels being able to purchase traditional homes which are in extensive need of repair and renovation.

Initially, communities could connect building components with already existing infrastructure such as electrical lines and local water systems. However, an eventual community goal in many instances would be to create more flexible infrastructure options for energy, water and sewer needs. Only recall that when land can be used in ways which allow it to revert to simpler, less costly uses afterward (such as agriculture), temporary use zoning could prove simpler than zoning changes which require permanently higher land use costs.

Chances are, in the near future, job losses will make it difficult for millions of individuals to meet what are continuous financial obligations - particularly rent. Even though fiscal stimulus will provide temporary relief, it comes at the cost of additional long term budgetary burdens. What is really needed, is a long term approach for economic stability which does not create additional financial burdens. New patterns for incremental ownership, could create a targeted response to the uncertainties brought about by the current pandemic.