No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Ongoing quality concerns in low Income housing have allegedly not been addressed adequately, as has been expressed in numerous speeches and at the Provincial Housing Summit of 2005. This study is an investigation into quality concerns in house construction in governmentsubsidised low-income housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area. It is informed by total quality management literature. It is motivated by aspects including: (1) government's accountability for public funds; (2) serving as base research for improved resource allocation; (3) and for quality improvement and sustainability strategies; (4) creating an opportunity for introspection by other members in the supply chain; and (5) a responsibility of all stakeholders to realise the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction. Research Design The following research objectives were set: (I) To identify house construction quality concerns in government-subsidised lowincome housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area. (2) ... To identify the causes of house construction quality problems in the low income housing delivery environment within the Pietermaritzburg area, from the perspective of the developers, municipality and Department of Housing : KwaZulu-Natal. In the context of this research, "developer" is defined as the entity used by the Department or the municipality as an agent for implementing projects. (3) .. To identify how house construction quality issues are currently being addressed. The research was approached in two phases. Phase I was designed to identify whether quality concerns existed in the low income housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area; and to identify the nature and the extent thereof. Phase 2 was designed to explore the perceived causes of quality concerns, and to identify the systems used by the municipality, its developing agent and the Department of Housing, to ensure sustained quality management. Findings Defects : The findings recorded in Chapter 5 illustrate that there are quality concerns in Pietermaritzburg in relation to government-subsidised low-income housing which were caused mainly by poor workmanship, especially the topping of slabs (i.e., the process in which a final layer of cement is applied to smoothen the floor surface, also refelTed to as "screeding"). The Pareto analysis'indicates that there is a mixture of defect types and causes that need to be addressed, and in order of priority_ These are : (I) screeding; (2) water connection; (3) fitting frames; (4) site clearance; (5) constructions of walls; (6) plumbing, specifically toilet fittings; (7) glazing; (8) corking/filling of gaps; (9) plaster material; (l0) door quality; (11) plaster work; and (12) the quality of frames. Existing systems, norms and standards: Role players are at different stages of advancement with regard to quality and supply chain management. The institutions appear to have an internal focus to quality management that is not customer focussed and lacks information and involvement of all stakeholders. There is no formalised policy on quality management. Such a policy is needed to guide quality improvement and monitoring systems (Gryna, 200 I: 185). The institutions do not appear to have a quality management strategy, or to have a fully integrated quality perspective. Quality assurance and audit process are also lacking. Neither the municipality nor the Department appears to use statistical process control systems to measure and analyse all processes. It appears that the proper infrastructure is not in place to implement a quality management system. Information systems are poor and this is a barrier to effective quality improvement implementation programmes, and to effective project management. There is no common understanding of roles, responsibilities and inspection criteria and processes and internal and external role players are excluded from quality management processes. The management environment and organisational culture within the municipality and the department do not appear to be conducive to encourage a learning organisation approach. Materials quality is not monitored, although it is noted that materials are not perceived to be the cause, and from the sample it is clear that materials have not contributed much to defects. Recommendations: These have been summarised as follows: I. The adoption of a quality management policy that incorporates all stakeholders; 2. The inclusion of quality management in strategic plans with a phased implementation programme; 3. Partnership development and joint planning with all role players; 4. Use of larger contracts, over a longer period of time through a programmatic systems approach; 5. Identification ofbenchmarking partners; 6. The adoption of an audit and assurance mechanism, based on ISO 9000; 7. Development of a learning organisation and change management culture, led from the top; 8. The inclusion of quality performance targets in managers' performance reviews; 9. Clearly defined inspections procedures and documents (including roles and responsibilities), and availability of these on site; 10. Information management systems upgrading; 11. Revision to National Building Regulations in the context of low-income housing; 12. Improved municipal strategies on water connection; 13. On site training regarding topping of slabs, fitting windows and door frames and block work; and 14. Training of all managers and staff on all aspects of quality management theory, tools and techniques, and specifically in relation to low-income housing. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Savings Schemes have assisted club members to improve their housing conditions. The study argues that funds from savings clubs for housing can make a tremendous contribution in assisting club members to improve their housing. The study established that club members experienced a problem of being unable to complete their housing improvement. This was due to the fact that funds from their savings were insufficient to allow them to complete their housing improvements and consequently club members had to obtain small loans from Agishana Credit Company in order to buy roofing material. The study therefore assumes that funds from savings clubs can work better when supplemented by small loans. The study uses three core-housing approaches, namely self-help housing approach, enabling approach and incremental approach. All these approaches call for housing beneficiaries to mobilize their financial resources to improve their housing conditions. According to these approaches the principal role of the state is limited to provision of basic services and infrastructure and necessary support. The study established that in order for housing group savings schemes to be more effective they need to supported by municipalities, nongovernment organization and other relevant housing role players. In the two case studies for an example, the withdrawal of municipality at BESG from supporting savings clubs for housing crippled the small functioning of savings clubs. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Since the transition to democracy, debates have revolved around the future role of civics in South Africa. Civics have been engaged in matters pertaining to protest against apartheid policies, which excluded black South Africans from decision-making processes. With apartheid dismantled, a need arose to redefine their roles. One view is that civics should remain mass-based and act as 'watchdogs', in order to ensure that local government becomes sufficiently democratic and sensitive to the needs of the community. The other view is that their role should shift from protest to development, with particular reference to housing, in order to help address the development needs of the community. If one supports the argument that civics should involve themselves directly in development, one needs to address some criticisms and doubts that have been raised. Some allege that civics cannot participate effectively in development because they do not represent the interests and concerns of the majority in the community. Their effectiveness in development is questioned on the basis that they do not have the capacity, given their lack of experience. Others, however, view civics as the appropriate vehicle to engage in effective development because, being in close contact with the community, they know best what the interests and priorities of the community are. Two casestudy areas, St Wendolins and Savannah Park, were selected to investigate the potential role of civics in development, with particular reference to housing delivery. This was done through interviews. The performance of civics in Independent Development Trust (IDT) projects in these areas was examined to assess their effectiveness as a basis for understanding their future role in housing development, particularly the consolidation process. The findings indicated that civics were not effective, largely because of internal and external factors. They do not have financial, administrative and technical skills essential for participating in effective housing development. Furthermore, they are not truly representative and do not have the resources to manage the process. On the other hand civics were constrained by the authorities and agencies who came with a predetermined package, which ignored effective participation and imposed development on them. As a reSUlt, civics were not empowered. and did not gain capacity because there was no effective transfer of skills. Notwithstanding these inadequacies, the study has argued for civic participation in housing development in the future because they are locally-based and are important organs of civil society which understands the aspirations and problems of their constituencies. This will be a move away from the 'top-down' approach which was employed by bureaucrats in the apartheid era. Civics need to play an effective role in development in order to complement the role of local government. To play this role, civics as well as the officials, need to change and adapt to the new participatory roles. Civics should be democratically elected, and should be engaged in all stages of development. They should undergo training which will enable them to acquire the necessary skills. Through participation in social compacts, civics can help promote housing development which corresponds to the needs and priorities of their constituencies. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

The research investigates housing improvements in low income settlements in South Africa. Using a comparative study of Bester's Camp and Nazareth, the investigation interrogates the impact of the subsidy scheme provided by the government. This logically encompasses a close scrutiny of such issues as: the land tenure system and its effects on the housing for low income groups, the obstacles that poor households have regarding housing improvements and accessing credit facilities. Burgess' arguments on the income's influence on housing improvements and Turner's idea of security of tenure as a factor laying foundation for housing improvements to take place, respectively, are juxtaposed in order to analyse trends of investments in housing in South Africa. The dissertation endeavours to contribute to the current housing debates by offering recommendations that can go a long way to alleviate the problems raised in the study. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.S.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1976.

This dissertation is based on research undertaken on the role of the housing group savings schemes that provide end-user finance to the poor households to address their housing needs with special reference to South African Homeless People's Federation (SAHPF) at Piesang River outside Durban. The housing conditions inherited by the new Government in South Africa were characterized by backlog. In order for the Government to address housing shortage, housing subsidy assistance was introduced, which only provided the 'starter house', which was not sufficient enough for the poor in terms of size and quality of the house. It was hoped that the traditional financial institutions would come to the party and provide small-scale loans to the poor to incrementally improve the condition of their housing. The poor households have been seen as "unbankable". Basically the study bids to explore and establish the effectiveness of the savings schemes as an intervention in making end-user finance available to the poor households in S.A. to meet their shelter needs. The study revolves wholly around the group housing savings clubs as an intervention for proving housing for the poor. Practice has proved that incremental upgrading of a core unit using incremental finance is more suitable than long-term loans and does not bind the poor into long-term financial agreements. Given the fact that the poor are not willing to subject themselves into long-term financial commitments, consequently, the poor households have initiated financial self-help groups of the likes of ROSCAs, Stokvels, RCAs and ASCRAs as a mechanism to deal with the predicament that they are facing. The study explores the circumstances under which these saving schemes have evolved and the cause of their proliferation, looking at the international and local experiences. The study draws successful lessons from SAHPF of Piesang River about group lending and the possible expansion of its activities to other parts of S.A. Lending groups have the potential to provide affordable credit to the poor and the group members will use peer pressure to encourage repayment. Group lending is capable of making an individual repay that would have easily defaulted under individual lending. The researcher uses the combination of sample survey and case study to argue that the success of SAHPF particularly in making end-user finance available to its members is due to its strong, central focus on savings and loans. Finally the recommendations are that savings for housing purposes should be seen as an appropriate mechanism, to augment the housing subsidy given the fact that formal end-user finance is not forth coming especially to the poor as anticipated. / Thesis (Arch.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Cities across the globe are characterised by inequality. Within South African cities the marginalised population has unequal access to certain resources and opportunities, one such resource that the research is centred upon is the access and occupation of land. Many South African formal residential neighbourhoods are characterised by their proximity to informal settlements. This is largely due to the fact that local government has not adequately addressed the issue of occupation and land; this is clearly evident in Clare Estate in which the study was undertaken. The thesis refers to literature that is critical of the notion of the ‘divided city’ concept and draws on other concepts such as justice, social inequalities, politics of space, sense of place and NIMBY to name but a few. The research adopted a quantitative and qualitative approach, where questionnaires and indepth interviews with relevant stakeholders structured the basis of the research, respectively. This thesis investigated the experiences and understandings of formal residents of Clare Estate, in regard to the informal settlement which is encroaching on their neighbourhood boundary. The majority of the formal residents were not satisfied with the presence of the informal settlers and requested the relocation of the informal settlements to another location. The thesis shows how the informal settlers have been stereotyped with negative images and therefore the formal community has socially excluded them. Furthermore, most formal residents interviewed emphasised that the presence of the informal settlements only attracted negative consequences, such as the increase in criminal activity, the hampering of social activities and the reduction of property values. In addition, this thesis reveals that there existed a strained relationship between the formal and informal communities in Clare Estate. It was also evident that the formal residents have attached a personal meaning to their residential area. This sense of place was seen to be threatened by the informal settlement in their neighbourhood. However, it should be stated that the local government authorities were re-addressing the issue of the encroachment of the informal settlement and there have been some attempts to relocate these settlements. Where the relocation initiative has not been successful, the government provided better building materials to the informal community to improve their housing situation in Clare Estate. However, this latter initiative was not accepted by the residents in formal housing who want the informal community ‘out’ of their residential area. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of Natal, 2003.