Exploring Typologies, Densities and Spatial Qualities; The Case of Low-income Housing in South Africa

This publication focuses on problems that resulted from the increasing pressure facing urban and suburban land use in South Africa brought on by a number of different factors including the political and historical background of the country as well as by rapid urbanization. The research analyzes selected low-income housing projects in South Africa built after 1994 from a perspective of how to facilitate higher densities. The focus of the analysis is on the general effects on the built environment with regard to urban form, built densities and spatial qualities found in four housing areas. A central question addressed is whether the provision of low-income housing structures built using higher densities, maintain, improve or aggravate spatial qualities. In addition, whether the types of projects analyzed can be considered as possible alternatives in addressing the problem of urban sprawl in South Africa.

The publication’s two main aims are to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between housing types, physical densities and urban sprawl, and to identify elements of a housing typology aimed at addressing urban sprawl and to contribute to the development of house type theory, especially with respect to rapidly urbanizing cities in low-income countries. It is organized in three parts: Part I on Theoretical Base and Methodologies Applied (Chapters 1–4); Part II on Empirical Findings (Chapters 5–6); and Part III, Analysis and Discussion (Chapters 7–8). Chapter 1 presents the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that are considered and that guide the research. The focus is on concepts that centre on an analysis of urban form, built densities and spatial qualities found in the built environment. Chapter 2 presents a background of the South African housing situation, specifically focusing on the current conditions with regard to housing for low-income groups. It also presents a background of urban development and planning guidelines, with a focus on strategies developed to work along with housing policy goals. Chapter 3 defines urban sprawl by providing an account of its development and the elements that characterize this type of land use. This serves as a guiding framework for the manner in which urban sprawl is analyzed. Chapter 4 describes the methodological frameworks used. Chapters 5 and 6 present findings of the selected case studies in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Chapter 7 follows with a summary and conceptual discussion of the projects analyzed. The results derive from an analysis of densities and public and communal spaces and of responses from interviews with residents and key persons. The final chapter centres a discussion on the themes addressed in the study with regard to the research questions presented in Chapter 1. This reflects on the problem of urban sprawl in South Africa, the house types analyzed in the study as options to combat sprawl, the relevance of the conceptual and theoretical approaches applied, and approaches and limitations encountered in the research. The conclusions may provide strategies that can be considered through housing policy and adopted as a means of supplying efficient housing stock overall, regardless of income level.