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

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.

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.

This study focusses on community participation in the delivery of incremental housing. The community participation approach and incremental housing approach share the same goals and have the aim of community driven development. The study outlines the goals and objectives of community participation and the principles of incremental housing. Meeting these objectives and principles in the delivery of incremental housing can help address the housing backlog in South Africa. Moreover, community participation and incremental growth of housing, if implemented according to their principles and objectives can ensure that beneficiaries needs are met. This is possible because the end users execute and drive their own development. As a result they are in a position to articulate their housing development priorities. For the purposes of this study, two theories are used. The two theories contextualise community participation and are relevant to the South African situation. There are different notions of community participation that have different implications for housing delivery. This study looks at the assumptions that the literature makes about the nature of community participation. The study reflects on international experiences with regard to the implementation of community participation approach. International experiences indicate that some projects have been a success, while others have not. This study's, recommendations forthe South African context are drawn from the findings of this study and other international projects which have been successful in implementing community participation. A survey in this study has been conducted for the purpose of highlighting realities regarding the implementation of community participation. The survey will enable the study to inform the current housing policy about the realities of practising community participation in the delivery of incremental housing. / Thesis (M.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

South Africa is one of the Third World countries which are mainly characterised by underdevelopment in almost all aspects of life. This would include social, economic and to certain extent, physical aspects. Their rural areas are in a critical condition as compared to their urban areas. The major problem with such areas is that the rural poor (tribal areas inclusive), cannot contribute significantly to their own development. This is mainly due to inherent inequalities in the benefits of economic development, and technological advancement which operates under the umbrella of capitalism. Rural housing development is a deliberate intervention programme that should be designed in such a way that the people themselves are gradually drawn into the mainstream of development action. It would mean that any governmental assistance to communities should at the time be a learning process for the beneficiaries. Such actions would act as attempts to alleviate the poor conditions in the rural areas, and then empower people in realising their potential and restoring human dignity. This dissertation is a critical overview of the formulation of a rural housing policy. The study looks mainly at the housing condition in the tribal areas, with special focus to housing problems in these areas. A special reference was made to Oshwashweni (Empangeni) in KwaZulu/Natal. The area was chosen because of the rural communities that are still living according to the traditional style of the Zulus. Furthermore, their housing situation is dominated by traditional style. The study revealed that rural housing development is hindered by administrative, social and even technical constraints. Thus, a need for a well-structured housing development was confirmed. Policy formulation has been regarded as the structured and secure instrument for bringing development within the tribal rural areas, and the rural areas as such. On the basis of outcomes of the study, some recommendations have been offered towards guidelines for formulating a policy. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.

Not available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2003.

Obtaining access to housing is the greatest hurdle for women throughout the developed and the developing world. However, this phenomenon varies from country to country, and it is determined by the level of each country's economical and technological development. Social and political power relations of a country also play a crucial role in determining who is to be provided with housing, where and when. Patriarchal family structures and government policies often marginalise women regarding their access to housing. In South Africa during the period when the Nationalist Party was in power (between 1948 and 1993), Black women were prevented from obtaining access to housing in formal urban townships. This was also the time when an influx of Black people to urban areas was occurring. The government responded by establishing mass housing for Black urban workers, but under strict conditions, which excluded women. The marginalisation of women in housing delivery resulted in many of them taking jobs where accommodation was provided such as nursing and domestic service. Clermont township was established in the 1930s, during the years of rapid industrial development in South Africa. Due to availability of African-owned housing, which could be rented privately in Clermont, many industrial workers particularly women were able to find accommodation there. This trend continued, until the Nationalist Party government extended the right to rent housing in all townships to women. This occurred in the late 1970s. A case study of Clermont, (a township characterised by a freehold tenure), was undertaken to investigate the position of women in housing development, and how changes in the political situation have affected their access to housing. This thesis reveals that the number of households headed by women in Clermont township exceeds those headed by their male counterparts (53 per cent of women compared to 47 per cent of men in the sample). These women were mainly renters rather than house owners. Some of them implemented alternative strategies to access housing despite their low incomes, insecure jobs and the prevailing government restrictions. These strategies include illegal occupation of land (land invasion) owned by the state (nearby Clermont) and land owned by individual people in Clermont township. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) , which is the socio-economic policy framework of the Government of National Unity (elected in 1994), 'identified the provision of housing as a priority area. There are many programmes that have been implemented by this government in order to increase the housing access for women. It is unfortunate that these new programmes many not be accessible to some women, as most are still caught in a web of unemployment. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

This study was conducted in the rural community of Makhabeleni in Kranskop. This community is under the traditional leadership of Inkosi M Dlomo. One of the Development projects undertaken is the rural housing subsidy scheme, implemented through the Provincial Department of Housing in KwaZulu-Natal. A random sample of 30 respondents was drawn from a population of local residents who are already occupying the constructed houses. The study aims at highlighting the implications of lack of integration of sustainable livelihoods approach in rural housing projects. It argues that the packaging of rural housing projects should incorporate both sustainable livelihoods and community participation approaches. These approaches in housing development should not only focus on the top structure or the shelter, but on other factors, such as infrastructure, electrification, agriculture water and sanitation services. Such an integrated and holistic approach requires proper co-ordination on the part of all stakeholders so as to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute in the elimination of poverty. The findings in this study are that local sustainable livelihoods are the way of life of people, therefore should be considered in the housing delivery process. The conclusion and recommendations drawn from the findings are that integrated rural housing development should be coordinated to promote sustainable livelihoods and local economic development initiatives. Such integration would have a ripple effect in attracting local people, who work in urban areas, to return to their rural communities and invest in housing and also improve the housing conditions in their communities. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2001.