Brownfield Regeneration: A possible Panacea to Zambia’s Housing Deficit and Urban Decay?

Purpose: Zambia is grappling with a housing deficit officially estimated at 1.5 million units and projected to reach 3.3 million by 2030. To address the current deficit, the government anticipates constructing about 149,000 units per annum or 222, 000 to avoid the 2030 projection. Simultaneously, many African cities are struggling to deal with urban decay, a condition that can be attributed to urban sprawl, poor planning, urbanization, increased population growth and many more. It has been observed that combating the housing deficit does not consider the current stock of properties which are now degenerated. New construction focuses on the use of greenfields and neglects the positives offered by the reuse of brownfields. It has further been observed from developed countries that after huge parcels of greenfields have been developed into ‘concrete jungles’, development is being re-directed to incorporate nature-based practices to combat societal challenges.Design/Methodology: This paper therefore questions whether Africa, after taking stock of existing properties that have become derelict, could contemplate ways to regenerate them to combat the housing deficit.Findings: This paper finds that challenges such as re-zoning, contamination and ownership issues will need to be addressed to ensure a sustainable process of regeneration. Additionally, greenfields require provision of services which tends to be a costly exercise while brownfields are often properties with services already in place.Practical implications: This paper argues for the inclusion of already existing stock in spatial planning and housing plans and further suggests the increased maintenance and refurbishment of existing real estate is a possible solution to the urban decay challenge.