A brief resume of a major study conducted in 1973 identifies the extent to which the indigenous building methods and materials of Oman are capable of meeting the country's contemporary shelter needs, and compares them with alternative materials and techniques being introduced as replacements. Visits to 20 towns and villages in 6 regions and…

The first part of the case study describes the establishment of kilns to produce fired bricks in the Luristan region of Iran and utilization of local skills and resources to meet local needs. The emphasis is on providing job opportunities to supplement the existing agricultural economic base and on supporting the local building industry, both of…

Two case studies, one conducted in the Luristan region of Iran in 1974, the other in the Caspian region in 1978, outline a methodology for assessing the problems and potentials of indigenous building methods. They illustrate how the methods can be used and developed to meet present shelter needs and how the problems that exist can be overcome…