No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

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.

The huge housing backlog that plagues South Africa requires concerted effort to develop capacity for low-income delivery systems that will improve the socioeconomic conditions of low-income people. Social housing, and housing associations in particular are recent housing delivery systems that promise to meet the needs of low-income people in South Africa. It is the intention of this research to investigate to what extent housing associations can improve housing delivery and improve the socio-economic conditions of low-income people. The literature review provides information on national experience in housing delivery. It investigates the difficulties of housing provision and how delivery fails to meet the needs of low-income people in South Africa. An international model of housing associations is used to provide an alternative form of delivery that may assist in reducing the backlog. The research uses integrated development as a framework for housing delivery. This paradigm advocates mixed landuse, and mixed income housing. Thus, it a move against 'housing in the veld" and 'one house one plot' delivery, and encourages housing delivery that is integrated with other functions within the inner city. Two examples of Johannesburg's inner city housing associations, namely Navarone and Jeppe Oval are used as case studies. These two case studies suit an integrated development approach. The survey includes a sample of 30 people from the two housing associations. Data analysis of the socio-economic issues and responses of tenants suggests that housing associations provide better living conditions and therefore a viable option for housing delivery in inner city areas of South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

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

Some urban centres in KwaZulu -Natal are threatened with loss of function due to economic restructuring. Many studies argue that the problem of declining centres can be mediated by programmes of Local Economic Development. However it. is important to note that economic restructuring is a complex process that needs an understanding of broader economic processes as most of the problems are created by global forces that are outside the control of localities. The research aims to investigate the factors that underpin t he threat of function in an attempt to establish whether centres have a future potential. Directly linked to this is the level of awareness and readiness of development institutions to these changes, as this is important if they are going to make appropriate and strategic responses. Using the case of the manufacturing sector in Pietermaritzburg a twofold approach to the study was adopted. The f irst part examines the impact of restructuring on localities. vthis is used as a framework to interpret the threatened status of the ' manufacturing sector in Pietermaritzburg. The conclusion reached is that the footwear sector is threatened by global competition. The second part of the dissertation attempts to investigate how Pitermaritzburg-Msunduzi Transitional Local Council is responding to the challenge posed by economic restructuring. In this regard it is concluded that Pietermaritzburg's ability to respond appropriately is hampered by the problems within the local government. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Since 1994 a rapid rate of large-scale development in the region of Ballito, KwaZulu Natal, has generated significant urban spatial changes. This dissertation aimed to identify and examine the factors that have generated and sustained these changes. Qualitative information, sourced from interviews conducted with various professionals and actors involved in Ballito's recent development procedures, was utilized to this extent. The study focused on localised institutional, socio-economic, historical, physical/environmental, policy- and agency-based explanations of Ballito's spatial metamorphosis. It was found that the town's resulting pattern of spatial growth reflects tendencies towards urban fragmentation that have been observed in many South African and international urban contexts. Whilst forces of globalisation have played a role in driving the urban changes of Ballito, many localised and region-specific trends have influenced the development process in unobvious manners. In particular, issues relating to local government incapacity have served to undermine state planning initiatives, which take as their focus the reversal of apartheid's socio-developmental discrepancies. Likewise, incongruencies within the South African developmental policy position have served to create uncertainty in the local urban management arena. As a corollary of these trends, the interests of private-sector and central government institutions have assumed the position of greatest power within Ballito's urban process, to the neglect of local governmental and communal concerns. It is concluded that the representative capacity of local government and disenfranchised communities must be improved as a means of promoting the delivery of complex political concerns such as 'integrated' and 'sustainable' development. It is also suggested that urban analytical models involving institutional explanations of urban change are more effective in providing recommendations for the reversal of socio-spatial inequalities than traditional, economic-based analytical models. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

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.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.