The aim of the study is to draw attention to the need for a housing design policy forming part of a comprehensive approach to the totality of production and with an understanding that the production activities of an individual or a society are the principal activities for its existence and development. An additional purpose is to define the necessary conditions for this change in production and to propose a process wherein dialectics will be in inherent part. For this purpose the study approaches the problem from the characteristic features of the physical environment production of a particular section of the community - namely the urban squatters - and establishes the relations between these characteristics with those of production as a whole. This totality - i.e. production as a whole also shows variations from one locality, one community to another and should be considered as feudal or capitalistic, as rural or urban, and as agricultural or industrial. Since these categories are not all exclusive a further conceptualization also becomes necessary. This we find in the concept of mode of production which embodies all variations according to the state of the productive forces and the nature of prevailing social relations which are derived from the production of the society. In other words the products of a society and their production process with its impact on the society are evaluated within a total which is defined as the mode of production of a society. This is done in three parts: in the first a particular case of physical environment production is analyzed. This is the squatter housing areas of Turkey which, although the intention, here, is not to provide a detailed review of squatter housing in all parts of the world, can also be found in the other under developed countries. First these areas are defined by their quantitative and qualitative characteristics characteristics, then they are defined as distinct from slums or rural settlements. Conclusions of this first part are based on the analyses of production relations, social organization and organization for physical environment production. In the second part the process of production is considered as a means for changing various social relations. Firstly the nature of these relations is discussed as an aspect of production in rural and urban societies. Secondly the nature of means in rural and urban contexts is defined with regard to material and conceptual tools of production, and finally the place of production of the environment within the totality of natural and human production processes is described. In the concluding part a summary of the characteristics discussed in the first two parts is followed by a summary of the requirements of a process of change. Then available means are studied as information and production processes, and a proposal is made in view of the afore discussed role of production. Here, one more factor is taken into consideration and it is that the process of production is also a dialectical process and the roles of dialectical relations, cause effect relations, quantity quality relations and contradictory relations should be regarded as the conditions to be satisfied by the proposed process. Finally the whole process is described by means of a model where the feedback and control mechanisms account for the requirements of cause effect and dialectical relations. Then the role of contradictory relations is further developed as a sub-process where the transition from one state to another could be materialized.

published_or_final_version / Urban Studies / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

This research project aims to explore the implementation process of the low cost housing policy, over the period from 1994 to 2001 in the, Msunduzi Municipality area. There are problems with the implementation of the housing policy by local government and this is causing delays in the delivery of the low cost housing for the poor. The findings of this research project will show that these problems have many sources. These include: firstly, the funding and the budget allocated for the housing projects. Secondly, the interference of the provincial government and the power play to control the housing policy. Thirdly, the uniformity of the houses in the projects; these houses can be related to the social and township houses of the late apartheid era. The housing policy in Msunduzi is facing many problems in the implementation stages. In order to identify the problems one must first find out what makes a problem free and an efficient policy. The information provided in the background study was gathered from a collection of sources, namely, journal articles, newspaper articles and government papers including the housing White Paper. A major part of the information gathered was through interviews conducted with a handful of members of the housing sector in the Msunduzi area. My interviews were conducted with a member of the Msunduzi Housing Association, a member of the National Home Builders Registration Council, and three members of the local Department of Housing. These interviews have allowed me to analysis the situation in Msunduzi area and come up with certain conclusions, as seen in the final report. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003

What housing means to people, their satisfaction with what they have and their evaluation of housing, seems to be especially relevant at this point in time in South African history. Therefore using meaning as a factor to evaluate current policy in South Africa, seems an interesting proposition. Further it is useful to use this approach to consider what might be missing in current approaches to housing. Is it possible for instance, that in South Africa the approach evolved by policy makers is incomplete? Is it possible that a more comprehensive approach could be a solution to the current crises in housing? These questions led to the formulating of the research question that is the topic of this dissertation. The analysis of the problem and suggested solutions is dealt with in the following order: Firstly, the problem, definitions and research to be carried out is defined in Chapter One, which also defines the background to the formulating of the research question. This is followed by a review of the current South African situation and its relationship to international housing policies, in Chapter Two. Chapter Three, outlines holistic policies: what they embrace and their relevance to this subject. Thereafter in the same chapter, international, as well as South African attempts at envisioning more meaningful policies are examined, with reference to their implications for South African policy. Chapter Four outlines new research undertaken which examines the feasibility and amenability of South Africa to a more meaningful approach and finally in Chapter Five, a conclusion is reached. It is hoped that this approach, will add to the discussion in this field and contribute to new perspectives emerging. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1999.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The study is mainly characterised by social, cultural, and economic aspects that influence the housing typology and design in rural areas, since these places have been in a critical condition compared to urban areas. This has led to the use of design suitable for urban areas in rural areas. This act threatens to undermine rural characteristics such as rural settlement patterns and traditional housing which acknowledge people's origin and lifestyle. As a result, people fail to contrlbute to their own development mainly because of the technological advancement that acquires people with intensive skills. The study was conducted in the rural community of Mpukunyoni in Mtubatuba. The residents still live under the traditional leadership of Inkosi Mkhwanazi. The housing project implemented in the area highlight some complications because of the housing typology that the developers have used which fails to incorporate cultural meaning in them. This questions the role played by the community which sees enabling approach as a possible solution. It encourages people themselves to be gradua11y drawn into their development. It aiso alleviates poor conditions and empowers people to restore their human dignity while recognising their potential. The study sees a need for rural housing policy to be revaluated so as to include other relevant factors like incorporating traditional authorities in decision making so as to influence the policy makers to recognise cultural aspects because rural and urban areas are not the same therefore, they must be treated differently. In that way, the developers can have a clear understanding of what housing means to rural people so as to provide them with. housing that must be passed on from one generation to the other. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.