Over half the global population lives in cities and by 2050 this is expected to rise to 70%. All these people will need somewhere to live and work with an infrastructure that supports them and their families.

That’s not only good news for the construction industry, but could be good news for the environment too. If just a small percentage of these buildings are constructed using sustainable bio-based materials, it could significantly reduce carbon emissions, boost carbon storage and help us reach net zero. Bio-based materials are materials intentionally made from substances derived from living organisms, such as timber derived from trees.

Nature is already helping to build our cities. Bio-based construction is catching on among early adopters keen to ensure that buildings have minimal impact on the environment. It’s hoped that these proof-of-concept buildings will help biomaterials to be widely adopted.

Set to be the tallest timber building in Africa at 96m high, the Burj Zanzibar is due to get under construction in Fumba Town. Bringing the forest to the city, it will be built from locally sourced glue laminated timber columns and cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs, creating local jobs across rural and urban areas. Sales of the high-end Burj apartments will help fund a surrounding low-rise development of affordable housing in Fumba Town, built with sustainable timber and following the same principles. Its design cools the interior climate, reducing the need for electricity-intensive air-conditioning.

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