Restructuring the apartheid city of Durban through low-cost housing development : opportunities and limitations.

Abstract

At this political time and age, when apartheid has been repealed , the housing backlog determined and the government has committed itself to housing the previously disadvantaged and made resources available , it is imperative to deliver housing at scale. This delivery should happen in a manner that not only provides housing opportunities to the poor and homeless but also ensures that where they are located they have equal access to opportunities. This study aims to identify opportunities that avail themsel ves to housing development interventionists to enable them to restructure the city through housing development. It also warns ofthe limitations that these interventionists are likely to encounter in this endeavour. The study will therefore be informative to a number of people and organisations involved in housing delivery. The objective is to identify the limitations and opportunities and then suggest some innovative interventions that have the potential to circumvent limitations and maximise opportunities to restructure the city. Potential beneficiaries ofthe study include officials ofthe city of Durban, policy makers at both provincial and local level, students, private developers, planners and other professionals in Durban and elsewhere.