The aim of the project was to improve housing conditions for the population of Mayotte. Traditional habitat consisted mainly of coastal villages, and individual dwellings comprise a large private court (shanza) used for daily household activities and a two-room hut (nyumba) used for sleeping and receiving guests. Built of traditional vegetal materials these structures have a maximum life span of ten years. In response to the increasing demand for more permanent structures the French administration is financing and offering technical assistance through CRATerre to establish a new building technology using local materials.
The project includes the following completed buildings: 2800 private dwellings; a cultural centre; schools; offices; shops; a bank; and professional training centres. The project is part of a programme to build 15,000 units over a period of ten years. Following an extensive research on the suitability and availability of building materials a standard building system was developed consisting of bricks made from a mixture of volcanic ash and clay and produced with the aid of a simple manual press. The standard house type is a variation of the traditional shanza-nyumba dwelling. The project was developed on a self-help basis, and financial assistance is offered directly in the form of building materials. The training of masons was given special attention and fifteen brick production centres were also established to ensure the availability and homogeneity of building materials.