The City of Cape Town in South Africa has received a green light from the advisory planning appeals that will pave way for four private sector developments in Philippi township to construct 240 affordable housing units in the town.
The Municipal Planning Tribunal who approved the proposal said that the developments would be located between Strandfontein, Ottery and Boundary roads and would help create a well-defined edge between the urban zone and the rural area known Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA).
“The panel’s decision to approve the proposal is for the greater good of the local community and also complies with the city of Cape Town’s municipal spatial development framework that requires the city to protect the productive core of the PHA,” said Marian Nieuwoudt, Cape Town mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.
She added that “We are all aware of the dire need for affordable housing in Cape Town. Approximately 30 per cent of the land in Knole Park is vacant and neglected, making it prone to crime and invasions. These private developments will help put to good use urban vacant land, while at the same time improving the general safety of the local community.”
Four private sector developments in Philippi township will be set aside for project. The developments will comprise 242 flats in all, located across Knole Park and intended for lower to middle-income households. The site is located close to public transport services and major routes, providing residents with easy access to industrial and commercial areas.
In addition, the developers will be obliged as part of the conditions of approval to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Ottery and Boundary roads to improve traffic flow, to upgrade the gravel surfaces on Koan road and part of Boundary road with asphalt surfaces and install sidewalks along Ottery road, down Boundary road, and along Koan road.
“They also have to pay development contributions to the city for the infrastructure needed to provide water, sanitation, and electricity services for the developments,” Nieuwoudt added.
Furthermore, the 100, 000 United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and Sustainable Housing Solutions (SHS) affordable Housing Scheme has kicked off in Amasaman, Ghana.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said that the project aims at reducing the backlog in housing in Ghana adding that one of the greatest ongoing need across Africa is the availability of affordable housing for citizens
Elsewhere, the federal government of Nigeria has announced plans to deliver one million affordable houses every year in bid to address housing deficit in the country.
Minister of State, Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu announced the plans during an inspection of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) mass housing project in Zuba, Federal Capital Territory. He added that the government is set to provide enabling environment to attract investors into the housing sector for the project to commence.
“The government has decided to improve on current construction of 100,000 houses per years in order to meet the basic needs of the people. By delivering one million houses per year, we will close the 17 million housing shortfall by the year 2033. That is the target of government, we are committed to doing that and to ensure that the programmes, policies are accomplished,” said Abubakar.
The minister further affirmed that problems associated with acquisition of lands would be addressed. The houses will be designed specifically for the middle and low income earners both in the public and private sector and the self-employed, once they meet up with the criteria.
