Affordable Housing in the Urban Global South (original) (raw)

Housing systems in the Global South: The relevance of the 'social housing' approach in meeting housing needs

plaNext – next generation planning, 2021

This paper addresses the problem of accessing decent and affordable housing in the Global South, where the housing need is, in general, more problematic than in the Global North. The paper first identifies five distinctive characteristics of housing systems in the Global South as compared to those in the Global North. These include: (a) the diverse facets of global financialization; (b) the role of the developmentalist state; (c) the importance of informality; (d) the decisive role of the family; and (e) the rudimentary welfare systems. Given these features, the paper reflects on the concept and practices of social housing, particularly their appropriateness to deal with the housing problem in the Global South. The paper then addresses the question of whether the social housing approach is relevant for solving the contemporary housing needs in the Global South. It argues that social housing, redefined to better encompass the distinctive characteristics of housing systems in the Global South, is indeed a useful policy approach and can play a decisive role in satisfying unmet housing needs. Such an approach needs to take into account the great role of informality and family support systems and develop appropriate funding instruments and modes of institutionalization protecting housing rights and the quality of life.

Affordable housing in developing countries: an overview of existing practices. (Thesis Chapter)

2017

Chapter two, besides giving a general outline of the investigated case studies, provides further details on the assessment grid that has been created and that involves all subjects while at the same time summarizes the themes that have emerged from the analysis of affordable housing projects and the traditional forms found in them. Besides offering a much clearer picture of the population sections that are interested by this research, we look at the different kinds of design approaches and address the gestures of dwelling (resting, socializing, feeding and taking care of our physical needs, ...) as well as of equipment and fittings together with the shape of domestic space and its relationship with the context. This first preliminary review has reviewed the collected materials without operating a restrictive geographic selection, apart from choosing projects belonging to a developing country or to a severely underdeveloped area. Wherever possible, transformations operated in the name of tradition have been highlighted both in the case that they are recalling tradition or that they are rejecting it.

Modes of housing provision in developing countries

Progress in Planning, 2001

In the face of an estimated one billion people living in inadequate housing conditions in developing countries the need for scaling up housing supply has become an urgent focus of policy debate. To this end the expansion of the role of the private markets has formed the central ...

Deciphering the Challenges in Housing for Urban Poor

This paper studies the existing scenario of urban housing and examines the challenges in housing the urban poor in India. It includes a review of housing policies that exist today and learning from interactions with different stakeholders involved in the sector on their roles and the issues they face. In addition, five case studies are conducted in Kochi, Kerala, to understand the demands and views of the urban poor on housing and associated services. The fundamental reasons for the challenges are examined and narrowed down to three major factors. The study concludes with suggestive solutions to improve accessibility to housing for the urban poor in India. This study was conducted by Namita Paul, Research Intern at Centre for Public Policy Research and D Dhanuraj, Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research.

Sustainable housing development dynamics in the Global South: refl ections on theories, strategies and constraints

Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

Background: Sustainability has been on the front burner of global debates in the 21st century because of the three commons: economic development, social equity and environmental stability. Central to the debate on sustainability is housing. Housing, as a fixed, physical structure can undermine development by constituting threats to the physical environment, and housing as an economic commodity can invigorate the process of development by increasing GDP through diverse job creations and revenue generations. However, the intersection of housing development, physical environment and sustainability in the Global South has been under-reported. Aim: The aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on sustainable housing provision in the Global South based on three valid questions: How can affordable housing be produced for the teeming population, how can sustainable, quality housing be produced, and how can the impacts of housing on the physical environment be regulated?Results and co...