Incremental housing and the role of community participation : a comparative study of Cato Manor and Bhambayi.

Abstract

This study focusses on community participation in the delivery of incremental housing. The

community participation approach and incremental housing approach share the same

goals and have the aim of community driven development. The study outlines the goals

and objectives of community participation and the principles of incremental housing.

Meeting these objectives and principles in the delivery of incremental housing can help

address the housing backlog in South Africa. Moreover, community participation and

incremental growth of housing, if implemented according to their principles and objectives

can ensure that beneficiaries needs are met. This is possible because the end users

execute and drive their own development. As a result they are in a position to articulate

their housing development priorities.

For the purposes of this study, two theories are used. The two theories contextualise

community participation and are relevant to the South African situation. There are

different notions of community participation that have different implications for housing

delivery. This study looks at the assumptions that the literature makes about the nature

of community participation.

The study reflects on international experiences with regard to the implementation of

community participation approach. International experiences indicate that some projects

have been a success, while others have not. This study's, recommendations forthe South

African context are drawn from the findings of this study and other international projects

which have been successful in implementing community participation.

A survey in this study has been conducted for the purpose of highlighting realities

regarding the implementation of community participation. The survey will enable the study

to inform the current housing policy about the realities of practising community participation

in the delivery of incremental housing.