Human settlements in Africa: the role of housing and building

Abstract

The right of everybody to decent housing has already been recognized in 1948 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, all over the world experience has shown time and again that the realization of this right is difficult and needs the continuous efforts of central, regional and local governments. This survey has been prepared on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to help governments and other parties concerned with the conceptualization and analysis of the problems involved, to supply them with the most up-to-date information about solutions and experiences in other African countries, and thus to help them to solve their housing problem. The setup of this volume differs in many aspects from the ECA's 1965 publication, Housing in Africa. Less emphasis is put on statistical data, insofar as these data can be found in other accessible sources such as statistical and demographic year books. On the other hand, more attention is given to subjects that can be of more instrumental value to decision makers and practicians. Within this framework also a small number of projects realized or in the stage of realization have been presented in the form of case studies described and discussed in depth.