Sustainable roads for South Africa

The UK's Royal Society is funding a three-year project into sustainable road construction.

The initiative between the University of Nottingham, UK, and Stellenbosch University, South Africa, aims to advance road construction methods in South Africa to improve mobility and economic growth in rural communities.

Nearly 80% of South African roads are rural or low-volume, and face challenges such as limited materials for construction, low funding and less maintenance, reports the University of Nottingham.

The project will try to establish how locally sourced waste materials can be used to create a circular economy with opportunities for small businesses and skills development in rural areas.

The University of Nottingham says developed countries such as the UK have successfully implemented circular economy frameworks in construction, using digital tools to manage material flows and overcome key market barriers, enhancing transparency and long-term value.