The provision of urban housing in the BLS countries: Policy and strategy since independence

Abstract

After studying housing policies applied in the Third World the conclusion was drawn that extensive housing shortages cannot be ascribed only to the rapid growth of the urban population, but that housing policies and strategies implemented in the past were equally important. On the one hand the housing policies and strategies were unrealistic in terms of standards and costs and on the other, there was a lack of planning and co‐ordination in the implementation of the housing strategies.

In this paper an attempt is made to test the validity of the above‐mentioned as applied to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. The structures responsible for the provision of urban housing as well as the policies and strategies as applied in the BLS countries since independence are therefore analysed. Differences and similarities in the implementation of housing policies and strategies between the various BLS countries are also highlighted.

Notes

Formerly researcher at the Africa Institute of SA and at present development re‐searcher at the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

Head, Geography Department, University of Pretoria.

Senior Development Researcher, Development Bank of Southern Africa.