Revisiting Affordable Housing Strategies In Africa: The Social Justice Case

The quest for affordable housing in Africa has never been an easy task nor successful one. Some of the strategies have addressed social justice marginally while some have not. It was intriguing therefore to reflect on these strategies with a view of determining viable mechanisms for a just and sustainable housing delivery in Africa. The paper discusses the significance of land governance and institutional framework for the delivery of housing in the context of the scarce land resources on an equitable basis and abiding with the principles of social justice and livelihood rights. The paper posits just access to land is a difficult concept to decode in urban contexts. The key arguments pursued in the paper are based on the concept of 'just city' with special focus on land and housing. The ideal just city is where there is social justice which seeks equal distribution of opportunities, rights, and responsibility irrespective of physical characteristics of the urban area, nature and job locations, and social behaviour of the city's dwellers. The three central principles of Just City, 'Equality', 'Democracy' and 'Diversity' as espoused by several scholars in city planning, housing, employment, urban economy, and poverty are examined. Reflections are made on the several initiatives to promote a just city where the right to access land and quality housing has been the prerequisite such as the 'Social Justice Coalition in South Africa, 'Know Your City' and 'smart urbanism'. This paper is based on desk-top reviews, to explain how households and communities obtain access to land for housing both in the formal and informal arrangements, the extent to which their rights and dignity are addressed, and whether they are fairly treated in the process.