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Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

economist.com

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Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#11

Post by prawn »

rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

It's very common in Morocco also. Rebar sticking out of the roof of many regional buildings.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#12

Post by bseidensticker »

rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

Same situation in the Philippines

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#14

Post by Gibbon1 »

neaanopri wrote: post #9
rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

I've seen and heard of this in Mexico and Latin America as well. A lot of US housing styles, such as saltbox and narrow townhouses, are also attempts to game older versions of the tax code

Years ago I read the same about places in the US as well. And of assessors being really intrusive. People being butthurt because they feel they are being punished for keeping their house up.

I've heard California used to base assessments on comparative values so that people don't try and game the system with crummy substandard construction and materials.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#15

Post by pengaru »

rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

Saw lots of this in southern Italy / Calabria

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#16

Post by notdang »

neaanopri wrote: post #9
rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

I've seen and heard of this in Mexico and Latin America as well. A lot of US housing styles, such as saltbox and narrow townhouses, are also attempts to game older versions of the tax code

At least in recent Mexico it's not because of taxes.

People don't have enough money to finish it and they leave it for later which usually never happens. Also they leave the possibility that next generation can add a new floor.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#17

Post by staticautomatic »

gpvos wrote: post #2

A few years ago I read an article that argued that one of the best ways to help many African countries would be to send accountants and help set up a cadastre.

In case anyone else doesn’t know the word cadastre:

> a register of property showing the extent, value, and ownership of land for taxation.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#19

Post by rrrazdan »

rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

In India lots of buildings leave rebar open on the top floor/roof because they expect the government to allow them to add a floor in the future.

The government often obliges.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#20

Post by cigaser »

eMGm4D0zgUAVXc7 wrote: post #18

Greece in the early 2000s had very many unfinished buildings as well, saw those as a tourist. I've been wondering ever since what the Greek reason for that was - any ideas?

Unfinished buildings have no taxes. And if building company has free capacity, it makes sense to use it. There is no freeze in winter so concrete skeleton lasts for decades.
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