Abdul Aziz Salama

Syrian engineer who revolutionized affordable housing through sustainable materials innovation

Abdul Aziz Salama (1925-2001) was a Syrian civil engineer whose work in sustainable construction transformed housing affordability in developing nations. Trained at the University of Damascus and MIT, he developed the first load-bearing clay brick system in the 1950s that reduced construction costs by 40%. His Salama Brick Method used locally sourced materials mixed with agricultural waste, creating earthquake-resistant bricks that could be produced with minimal machinery.

In the 1960s, Salama pioneered the concept of 'participatory construction' where communities built their own homes using his techniques. This approach created 12,000+ homes in Syria's rural areas during the 1970s, later adopted by UN Habitat programs in Africa and Asia. His 1968 book Building for the People became a manual for low-cost housing in 17 countries.

Salama's innovations in solar-integrated housing designs during the 1970s energy crisis provided 30% energy savings. His work with the Arab Urban Development Institute established construction standards still used in 11 Middle Eastern countries. The Salama Housing Foundation continues his mission today, having trained over 5000 builders in sustainable methods.