A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South

Cities in developing countries face housing challenges due to ineffective urban planning, weak governance, and lack of access to finance. A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South provides a guide for countries in the sub-Sahara to improve urban housing by focusing on eight factors: legal framework, tenure, stakeholder coordination, participation, capacity, adaptive housing regulations, housing finance, and governance. The state plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for other stakeholders to participate in the provision of affordable housing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2024
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Cities in developing countries face diverse housing challenges that vary significantly across nations. The underlying reasons and characteristics of these challenges differ widely. In sub-Saharan African countries, a significant portion of the population resides in unplanned settlements, leading to a lack of decent housing and access to essential services. This situation arises from a combination of factors, including ineffective urban planning, weak urban governance, limited private sector involvement, and restricted access to affordable housing finance. Surprisingly, there has been limited research conducted to investigate and develop frameworks aimed at improving urban housing in these countries.

To address these challenges, A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South offers valuable insights from a developing countries perspective. This framework provides a guide for countries in the sub-Sahara region, where governments face financial constraints and competing priorities. Anchored in neoliberal principles, the framework identifies eight key factors that predict urban housing development: legal framework, tenure, stakeholder coordination, stakeholder participation, stakeholder capacity, adaptive housing regulations, housing finance, and governance.

The authors of the framework elaborate on the role of the state in creating an enabling environment for other stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and community groups, to participate in the provision of affordable housing for all. They emphasize the importance of promoting competition, innovation, and efficiency in the urban housing sector while ensuring social and environmental sustainability.

By adopting a neoliberal approach to urban housing development, developing countries can leverage their resources and expertise to address the housing needs of their citizens. This framework provides a comprehensive framework that can be tailored to specific contexts and challenges, enabling countries to develop effective policies and strategies to improve urban housing conditions and promote inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837970353