In a project initiated by the Sustainability Institute, and backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, development experts are taking innovative steps to address South Africa’s housing shortage.
As South Africa experiences some of the highest rates of urbanization in the world, housing demand is far outstripping supply, and the government's housing backlog continues to worsen. One enterprising solution? Reach for the low hanging fruit by upgrading temporary housing settlements, reports Emma Bryce.
Though informal settlements are often composed of improvised dwellings made from scrap, these are what many South African residents proudly call home. "In fact, the level of organization and sense of community that exist in informal settlements after many years of growth challenges the perception of outsiders that they are simply chaotic blots on the landscape," Bryce observes.
Rather than destroy and rebuild, the iShack or "improved shack" aims to address one of the main issues afflicting residents - the lack of energy sources. Through a flexible design, the prototype equips "informal homes with solar panels and energy-saving features that make them more livable," reports Bryce. She adds, "[o]f course, the premise behind these upgrades is that the settlements are here to stay."
The iShack project is expected to run for a trial period of a year and half, during which time 100 more prototypes will be installed in Cape Town's largest informal settlement, Enkanini. Depending on the project's success, it may be expanded to parts of Ghana and Tanzania.
FULL STORY: South African Settlement Welcomes the iShack
Breaking the Bias on Public Transport
How gender-sensitive data collection can make public transit safer for women.
The Pandemic Is Not Ending—But Restrictions Are
The science hasn't changed but the politics have, and policymakers are responding appropriately. Transmission of the coronavirus during the Omicron wave remains at an all-time high, although infections are decreasing globally.
Coronavirus Geography: Denmark Could Be an Omicron Harbinger
Denmark is one of three countries that experts suggest watching to determine how the Omicron wave will affect the U.S. and other well-vaccinated nations. Cases are surging notwithstanding having 78% of its population fully vaccinated.
Redesigning Streets for Livability: A Global View
An excerpt from the introduction of the recent book, “Streets For All: 50 Strategies for Shaping Resilient Cities,” edited by Vinayak Bharne and Shyam Khandekar.
Bend Eliminates Parking Minimums
The city is complying with an Oregon state mandate that some cities have challenged in court.
Scottsdale Cuts Water Supply to Nearby Suburb
The city claims it has no responsibility to provide water to the unincorporated Maricopa County community.
How To Prevent ‘Green Gentrification:’ Lessons from the BeltLine
For one author, the key is focusing on affordable housing from the start.
Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
The increased demand for walkable urban spaces could make them more and more exclusionary if cities don’t pursue policies to limit displacement and boost affordability.
El Paso Freeway Cap Linked to Road Expansion
A deck reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the interstate is part of a controversial freeway expansion proposal.
Town of Reading
Meridian Consultants
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
City of Morganton
St. Louis County, MO
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
