Housing land allocation in Kadoma: Implication for low-cost housing provision

Abstract

This paper reviews housing land supply and land allocation strategies and practices in Kadoma. Inadequate supply of and inequitable access to serviced land is the most important factor limiting the supply of housing to low income households in the city. This research arose from the acute shortage of low cost housing land supply which has led to overcrowding and homelessness. Research has shown that land because of its scarcity and high cost is the major obstacle to the adequate provision of affordable urban housing in developing countries. This stems from the use of poor and inappropriate frameworks for the allocation of urban housing land which work against efforts by the poor to access low cost housing. Questionnaires, structured interviews and secondary data sources were used to investigate the topic. It was found out that land allocation methods in Kadoma changed between 1990 and 2011 which marginalised low income households. Low cost housing is no longer the first priority in allocating housing land in Kadoma resulting in overcrowding and the use of informal land access methods as alternatives. The paper concludes that unless concerted efforts are made by urban planners and government to address the land issue, Kadoma may in the nearest future be facing chaotic housing development.