Construction technology transfer in the age of NAFTA

Recent socio-economic and demographic changes have contributed to a decreas e in housing demand in Canada and have inspired the housing industry to loo k for foreign markets. This transition has been facilitated by, conducive g lobal geopolitical agreements such as NAFTA, whereby an open corridor of co mmerce was implemented to simplify, trade procedures between Mexico, the Un ited States, and Canada. Complementary to the projected decline in the Cana dian housing industry is the high demand for housing in Mexico which is est imated to be in the millions. This paper examines how La Casa a la Carta - a $20,000 (Canadian dollars) narrow-front rowhouse developed by Canadian an d Mexican architects and constructed in Guadalajara, Mexico, in November 19 97 exemplifies a framework for the transfer of industrialized methods of pr oduction and the modification of Canadian products to comply, with local cu lture, code jurisdictions, and building methods. The author found that ther e are numerous challenges inherent to the process, whereby long-term planni ng and gains, rather than immediate, short-term benefits, are fundamental t o the proposed concept. This paper examines the background, the challenge o f technology, transfer the design principles, and product modifications cri tical to the industrialized production of an affordable and flexible unit.