Housing

The ‘built environment’ is a phrase used to describe the public spaces, healthcare facilities, schools, markets and shops that people need to have access to for a healthy and thriving society. As more and more of the world’s population live in cities, the built environment should create spaces where people feel safe and secure and can happily live their lives

Adequate housing is a right of every South African, as stated in the Constitution of the country. The end of Apartheid made socio-economic inclusion a priority on South Africa’s development agenda. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is a socio-economic policy framework that aims to ensure people have access to adequate housing.

In South Africa, the supply of houses has not been able to keep up with the increase in demand in urban areas. In Johannesburg, the housing backlog is conservatively estimated at 300,000 units with an average delivery of only 3,500 housing units per year. This has led to a rise of informal settlements, and massive overcrowding.

In Johannesburg alone, 21.5% of people live in informal settlements. Many more live in tiny spaces, as homes that were built for one family are now host to several. Some property owners are maximising the value of their space by creating additional accommodation in the backyards of their properties - these buildings are unregulated, lack services and are potentially hazardous. In the inner city, typically 10 people are likely to live in a two bedroom home and 25 people in a house designed for five.

There is a critical housing shortage in the inner city of Johannesburg and the condition of existing structures are deteriorating. Can you propose ideas to improve existing houses or how new houses could be designed to meet the housing demands?

23. Improving living spaces

Due to the housing shortage many people live in high density homes, there is overcrowding in hostels and non-regulated backyard rental. Can you propose ideas for how these existing houses could be improved to increase the privacy, space, security and dignity of the people living in them?

24. Building faster

Due to Makers Valley’s population growth, the supply of houses has not been able to keep up with the increase in demand. Can you propose ideas for how new developments can be managed and built fast to accommodate this demand?

25. Keeping homes affordable

Due to the success of new developments, house prices are beginning to rise. Can you propose ideas for a low cost housing solution with good thermal performance and safe construction ?

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