Abstract
The South African housing research environment is commonly known for its application of the case study approach as a preferred research method. Even the evaluation and assessment of low-income housing developments, to a large degree, are being done through several case studies. However, longer-term assessment or longitudinal studies are virtually absent from this fairly large body of research on low-income housing in South Africa. Although this paper does not deviate from the case study approach, the difference lies in its intent to demonstrate through the housing outcomes of two low-income housing projects (laissez-faire self-help and aided self-help which used a contractor-driven approach) the value and significance of long-term evaluation or longitudinal studies in housing research. Essentially, the paper argues that the limitations associated with one-off case studies and to a large extent, the general absence of longitudinal studies in housing research, lies in the domination of political and economic frameworks. Therefore, the paper showcases the limitations with regard to the interpretation and methods in one-off case studies as opposed to our findings based on longitudinal surveys.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
The Housing Code contains the operational guidelines of the South African housing policy.
References
Abbott, J. (2002). An analysis of informal settlement upgrading and critique of existing methodological approaches. Habitat International, 26, 303–315.
Baumann, T. (2003). Housing policy and poverty in South Africa. In F. Khan & P. Thring (Eds.), Housing policy and practice in post-apartheid South Africa. Johannesburg: Heineman.
Bond, P., & Tait, A. (1997). The failure of housing policy in post-apartheid South Africa. Urban Forum, 8(1), 19–41.
Botes, L. J. S., Krige, S., & Wessels, J. (1991). Informal settlements in Bloemfontein: a case study of migration patterns, socio-economic profile, living conditions and future housing expectations. Bloemfontein: Urban Foundation.
Burgess, R. (1977). Self-help housing: a new imperialist strategy? A critique of the Turner’s school. Antipode, 9(2), 50–60.
Department of Housing. (2000). National housing code. Pretoria: National Department of Housing.
Gauteng News. (2001). Housing programmes benefit the poor and the homeless. 15 February, p. 5. Johannesburg.
Harris, R. (2003). A double irony: the originality and influence of John F.C. Turner. Habitat International, 27(2), 245–269.
Huchzermeyer, M. (2001). Housing for the poor? Negotiated housing policy in South Africa. Habitat International, 25(3), 303–331.
Huchzermeyer, M. (2002). Upgrading through the project-linked capital subsidy: implications for the strategies of informal settlement residents and their community organizations. Urban Forum, 13(2), 67–79.
Huchzermeyer, M. (2003). A legacy of control? The capital subsidy for housing and informal settlement intervention in South Africa. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 27(3), 591–612.
Jones, G. A., & Datta, K. (2000). Enabling markets to work? Housing policy in the new South Africa. International Planning Studies, 5(3), 393–416.
Jones, G. A., & Ward, P. (1994). The World Bank’s new urban management programme: paradigm shift or policy continuity? Habitat International, 18(3), 33–51.
Mackay, C. (1999). Housing policy in South Africa: the challenge of delivery. Housing Studies, 14(3), 387–399.
Marais, L., & Krige, S. (1997). The upgrading of Freedom Square informal settlement in Bloemfontein: lessons for future low-income housing. Urban Forum, 8(2), 176–193.
Marais, L., & Van der Walt, K. (2010). Downscaling of mining industry in Matjhabeng. Johannesburg: Industrial Development Corporation.
Marais, L., Van Rensburg, N., Botes, L., et al. (2003). An empirical comparison of self-help housing and contractor-driven housing: evidence from Thabong (Welkom) and Mangaung (Bloemfontein). Urban Forum, 14(4), 347–365.
Marcussen, L. (1990). Third world housing in social and spatial development. England: Avebury.
Matovu, G. (2000). Upgrading urban low-income settlements in Africa: constraints, potentials and policy options. Paper presented at regional and roundtable on upgrading low-income settlements. South Africa: Johannesburg.
Napier, M. (2003). Supporting the People’s Housing Process. In F. Khan & P. Thring (Eds.), Housing policy and practice in post-apartheid South Africa. Johannesburg: Heineman.
Napier, M. (2005). A macro-perspective on the first decade of South African housing delivery and its contribution towards the formation of sustainable settlements and communities. Paper presented at the DBSA knowledge week seminar. Pretoria: Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Ntema, L.J. (2011). Self-help housing in South Africa: paradigms, policy and practice. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
Payne, G. K. (1984). Low-income housing in the developing world: the role of sites and services and settlement upgrading. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Pugh, C. (1992). International finance and housing policies in developing countries. Cities, 9, 117–137.
Pugh, C. (1996). Methodology, political, economy and economics in land studies for developing countries. Land Use Policy, 13(3), 165–179.
Rust, K., & Rubenstein, S. (1996). A mandate to build. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
Sliuzas, R. (2003). Opportunities for enhancing communication in settlement upgrading with geographic information technology-based support tools. Habitat International, 27, 613–628.
Stein, A. (1991). A critical review of the main approaches to self-help housing programmes. London: University College London.
Stewart, A.F.E. (2001). Architects and housing: challenges within the low-income housing sector in South Africa. Unpublished M.A Thesis, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
Swilling, M., Humphries, R., & Shubane, K. (Eds.). (1991). Apartheid city in transition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tomlinson, M. R. (2006). From ‘quantity’ to ‘quality’: restructuring South Africa’s housing policy 10 years after. International Development Planning Review, 28(1), 85–103.
Turner, J. F. C. (1976). Housing by people. Towards autonomy in building environments. London: Marion Byers.
Uji, Z. A. (1998). The squatter house in Nigeria: a triumph of self determination, self-help and decision making. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(2), 104–114.
Van Rensburg, N. E. J., Botes, J. S., de Wet, M., et al. (2001). Upgrading and low-income housing initiatives: indicating their value to the people of Freedom Square, Bloemfontein. Development Southern Africa, 18(1), 107–114.
Venter, A. (2010). Exporting western housing theories and its relevance in the context of a developing country: the case study of South Africa. Paper presented at New Housing. Istanbul: Researchers’ Colloquium Conference.
Ward, P. M. (1982). Self-help housing: a critique. London: Mansell.
World Bank. (1993). Housing, enabling markets to work. Washington DC: World Bank.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ntema, J., Marais, L. Comparing Low-Income Housing Outcomes in Self-Help and Contractor-Driven Projects: the Case for Longitudinal Research. Urban Forum 24, 389–405 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-012-9183-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-012-9183-8