International debates in the field of development have redefined housing as sustainable housing. Thus, housing no long refers to the delivery of physical products. The introduction of the concept of sustainability has far reaching consequences for the delivery of housing, which now amounts to the creation of viable communities. Moreover, the delivery of housing now takes place within the context of a policy framework that is indicative of a complete reversal of past policies towards developmentally-oriented, integrated approaches aimed at bringing about the long term sustainability of a vibrant and organic civil society. Significantly, the conception of housing as a process prioritises community control of projects at the local level with the assistance of external role players. Unfortunately, this long awaited component of housing projects is often marred by capacity constraints on the part of beneficiary communities who cannot participate and lor negotiate with other stakeholders in the delivery of housing. Therefore, the level at which this investigation is focused is on the mediation of community participation by all the relevant stakeholders in order to unravel the influence that this has on the quality of the housing products that are received. In this respect, an inquiry into the concepts of participation is tested against a case study of a community involved in a housing project and concludes that community participation is indeed mediated by many role players and that their influence has a determining effect on the quality of the social and physical products received. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

This dissertation explores renewable energy strategies for low-income housing in South Africa using several case studies from the City of Cape Town and surrounding areas. The paper engages with the background and theories underpinning renewable energy for low income housing, analysing the key literature and focusing on renewable energy policies and current research in Cape Town, South Africa. It attempts to analyse the implications of current policy, the practical implications of renewable energy in low income housing developments and the conflicts that can occur between environmental and poverty interventions. The research for this paper involved face to face interviews with individuals working in the renewable energy for low income housing field or exposed to projects of this type. From these interviews it emerged that renewable energy interventions in housing can more significantly reduce environmental impact when applied in middle and upper income housing developments. but also that particular kinds of renewable energy and energy efficiency interventions are suitable for low income housing developments. It became clear that the role of the town planner is central in ensuring the success of renewable energy projects, and that political will is also a key factor. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Tenants represent a marginalised group in South Africa, with land and housing, and particularly rental accommodation in great demand. Renting is a viable option for certain tenants but in the absence of the provision of rental housing, tenants are trapped in a "feudal" system of tenant-landlord relationship. The importance of this study stems from the fact that there appears to be violations of tenants' rights and that the obligations of both tenant and landlord from a Shari-ah perspective have either been overlooked or ignored completely thus far. This study examines the hardships faced by tenants specifically in privately owned residential accommodation in Durban and other major South African cities. It aims to critically examine Islamic perspective on housing and land tenure and guidelines that govern tenant-landlord relationship in respect of residential rental accommodation. It also looks at the South African development of land and housing policy, legislation, the provision of public and rental housing and tenure and tenant-landlord relationship. It examines the historical development of such a relationship in the west and the development of rent legislation in South Africa and the most recent legislation, the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999. This study sought responses from recognised, well-established Muslim organisations in South Africa to a questionnaire dealing specifically with residential rental accommodation and general information on a range of tenant-landlord related matters. It is hoped that their response that are analysed and discussed would contribute to a better tenant-landlord "culture". The overall findings of this study into the Islamic and South African perspective on tenant-landlord relationship have implications for policy makers, Islamic scholars, NGOs and a whole range of stakeholders, locally as well as internationally. In the light of this study, suggestions are made to stimulate further research on some of the pertinent issues addressed. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2001.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The interaction between people and their natural environment, as well as the manner in which it occurs, is of a complex nature. The sustainable use of natural resources should be strived for and our guideline should be sustainable development. A common phenomenon in low cost housing projects in South Africa is the dependency on the natural environment and the over-utilization of resources. Numerous poor rural and urban communities do not have the opportunity to think about this over-utilization, as their first priority is that of survival. Resource allocation in South Africa reflects a pattern of uneven distribution. In housing development the less fortunate are placed in poor ecological areas where the quality of the environment can scarcely maintain the minimum standard of living. This inequality not only hinders the promotion of a stable ecological basis, but also prevents nation-wide sustainable development. Due to this, the connection between poverty and ecology were made an environmental priority. The importance of integrating the environment and development, to achieve environmental sustainability, is acknowledged and therefore greater emphasis is placed on sustainable development. In this study an attempt is made to determine how natural environmental sustainability can be ensured with low cost housing development. In the process an evaluation instrument, consisting of three components, namely the principles of sustainable I development; natural environmental indicators for sustainable low cost housing development; and socio-economic indicators for sustainable low cost housing development, are designed to try to reconcile the natural environment and development through the phenomenon of sustainable development. An extensive literature study of relevant published and unpublished literature was done and forms the basis of this research study. A research survey, done by the University of Stellenbosch about the case study of Wesbank, and of which the researcher was part, is also utilised in this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die interaksie tussen mense en hulle natuurlike omgewing, asook die manier waarop dit geskied, is van 'n komplekse aard. Daar moet gestreef word na die volhoubare benutting van natuurlike hulpbronne, en ons rigsnoer behoort volhoubare ontwikkeling te wees. In talle laekostebehuisingontwikkelings in Suid-Afrika is 'n algemeen waarneembare verskynsel die afhanklikheid op die natuurlike omgewing en die oorbenutting van hulpbronne. Baie arm landelike en stedelike gemeenskappe het nie die geleentheid om oor hierdie oorbenutting na te dink nie, aangesien hul eerste prioriteit dié van oorlewing is. Suid-Afrika se hulpbron-toewysing retklekteer 'n patroon van ongelyke verspreiding. Die minder bevoorregtes word, in behuisingontwikkeling, in ekologiese swak areas geplaas waar die kwaliteit van die omgewing skaars die minimum lewensstandaarde kan volhou. Hierdie ongelykhede bemoeilik nie slegs die bevordering van 'n stabiele ekologiese basis nie, dit verhoed ook landswye volhoubare ontwikkeling, en daarom is die verband tussen armoede en ekologie 'n omgewingsprioriteit. Die noodsaaklikheid daarvan om die omgewing en ontwikkeling te integreer, om omgewingsvolhoubaarheid te verkry, word erken en groter klem word op volhoubare ontwikkeling gelê. In hierdie studie gaan gepoog word om te bepaal hoe natuurlike omgewingsvolhoubaarheid tydens laekostebehuisingontwikkeling verseker kan word. In die proses gaan 'n beoordelingsinstrument bestaande uit drie komponente, naamlik: die beginsels van volhoubare ontwikkeling; natuurlike omgewingsindikatore vir volhoubare laekostebehuisingontwikkeling; en sosio-ekonomiese indikatore vir volhoubare laekostebehuisingontwikkeling, ontwerp word om sodoende te probeer om die natuurlike omgewing en ontwikkeling te versoen deur die verskynsel van volhoubare ontwikkeling. 'n Ekstensiewe literatuurstudie van relevante gepubliseerde en ongepubliseerde literatuur is gedoen en maak die basis van die navorsingstudie uit. Daar word ook gebruik gemaak van 'n navorsingsopname, gedoen deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch oor die gevalstudie van Wesbank, waarvan die navorser deel was.

The access to adequate housing is a constitutional right, in terms of Section 26 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Access to housing in South Africa is still an ideal and not a reality. The increase in housing prices reduces affordability, which creates a barrier to the housing market for South Africans to fully participate. The South African housing market is divided, based on the affordability of households, with a gap within the property market. The gap-housing market is a market, which does not receive a government subsidy; and furthermore, it does not qualify for bond finance by the private financial institutions. The gap-housing market includes households that earn between R3,500 to R15,000 per month for residential properties valued between R116,703 to R483,481. The problem is a lack of supply in the gap-housing market to meet the demand; and this is also affected by the poor performance of the subsidy-housing market. The gap-housing market is not traded adequately, due to a lack of supply caused by stricter lending criteria from the banks. The study was conducted by means of reviewing the related literature and by an empirical study. A survey was conducted using the quantitative approach through a distribution of research questionnaires to different organizations within the judgement sample population. The objective of the study is to review the gap-housing market and to make recommendations. The descriptive survey was conducted among specialists that are participating in the South African housing market. The findings of the study suggest that there is a relationship between incentive and participation, as well as a relationship between participation – with access, supply and trading in the gap-housing market. This study will contribute to the South African housing market body of knowledge – by addressing the problem of a gap within the housing market.

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / When South Africa’s first democratic government was elected in 1994, the newly elected government committed itself to reduce the housing shortage in South Africa. By July 2001, approximately 1. 43 million as opposed to 3 million houses, were completed. In order to reduce the South African housing backlog, the government has established a number of Social Housing Institutions (SHI), but its social housing provision has still not lived up to its promises. While supply of social housing increased between 1994 and early 1998, it decreased between 1999 and 2004, whilst demand for social housing, continues to rise. Since existing government strategies have failed to meet the ever increasing social housing demand, there is a need to investigate the strategic elements and the efficiency of South Africa’s social housing provision. This thesis, therefore, determines strategies that the government should employ in order to close the gap between the supply and demand of social housing in South Africa. The thesis presents a comparative case study of social housing strategies and programmes in four countries namely: Brazil, Malaysia, China and England. The research identifies preconditions for successful housing programmes and strategies and concludes with policy recommendations. It proposes that public participation should be encouraged by all municipalities within South Africa. The research methodology which was used in this study is qualitative, where structured interviews were held with community members as well as with members of the municipality. The study reveals that there is no community participation in the housing process of the Mbashe local municipality. The findings of the research show that the municipality cannot be held accountable for non-participation of the community, as some community members do not want to work and learn. However, it is argued that local processes will not be effective if communities are not involved in development, in general.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Public Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / This study interrogates the process followed by the South African government in transforming informal settlements into formal settlements, with specific reference to Khayelitsha Township, located just outside of Cape Town. Three informal settlements within Khayelitsha Township (Nkanini in Makhaza, RR and BM both in Site B) were identified for purposes of conducting this study. This study aims to interrogate the government’s effort to eradicate informal settlements. It employed a quantitative tradition where a structured questionnaire was distributed to 100 subjects. These included ward councillors, government managers, researchers on Community-Based-Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations. The study revealed that research participants believed that there were no changes taking place in the informal settlements and they are growing in a fastest pace. The study findings also depicted that in order to transform informal settlements all key stakeholders should work in collaboration with each other. This study will contribute to the body of knowledge as there is paucity of data regarding the transformation of informal settlements to formal housing.

Thesis (DTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-219). / Few issues in the public domain have attracted so much attention than the provision of housing to the poor. The provision of housing to the poor has always been a contentious issue, and has acquired special significance in the current political environment. This study describes, analyses and assesses attempts by central, provincial and local spheres of government to honour the constitutional provision of the right to have access to adequate housing. The study consists of an extensive review of the literature that comprises books, legislation and journal articles accessed from the Internet. In the process, a study is made of management theory, public management theory, and legislation pertaining to housing, as well as strategic management. On the basis of this study, an input/output transformational systems model is presented of how the Housing Department of the City of Cape Town can guide its management staff in achieving their strategic objectives. The model is a normative one intent on assisting managers to attain understanding of set objectives effectively and efficiently. The assumptions underlying the model emphasise that the model strives to improve performance. Data were collected by means of a mixed approach of a questionnaire and semistructured interviews amongst management staff in the Housing Department. The analysis of the data collected by the questionnaire was done using SPSS, with the assistance of a registered statistician. The study researched various aspects of legislative arrangements that can be utilised with a view to improving the housing delivery function. One critical aspect in the provision of housing that enjoyed attention during the semi-structured interviews is the transfer of funding for housing from the central sphere of government directly to the municipality without the provincial government acting as an intermediate. The study concludes by advising on the feasibility of conducting further research on the increasing involvement of the City of Cape Town in eviction actions brought to Court by private individuals.

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009. / As higher education is increasingly becoming globalised, quality assurance is one of the most important mechanisms that can be used to ensure the competitiveness of higher education institutions in South Africa. The competitive market place both in private and public higher education sectors, require people at all level in an organisation to think of ways to continuously improve their products or service that they deliver to customers. This can only be achieved within higher education institution if staff and management can demonstrate their commitment to quality improvement through their active contribution to outstanding performance. By providing higher quality service to students, contribute to the positive assessment of the university in its services rendered to its clients. This research seeks to determine the inefficiencies that impact adversely on service delivery as identified in the student housing registration and placement system, and to investigate ways of continuously improving the various processes and procedures. The primary research objectives of this study include the following: > To review the current student housing registration and placement system. > To determine client satisfaction as it relates to the current student housing registration and placement system. > To investigate and design an improved student housing registration and placement system that is efficient, workable, fast and user-friendly. > To develop a mechanism to continuously improve the quality of the system. It is anticipated that the research will lead to an improvement of student housing registration and placement application processes, which in tum will contribute to the overall improvement of service delivery. Furthermore it will enhance communication with the students and staff involved in the registration and placement process.

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract