The 'Massive, Little' Houses: 'Prefabs', A Solution for Informal Settlement Housing Crisis in South Africa! A Scoping Review

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dc.article.end-page21
dc.article.start-page10
dc.contributor.authorSimbanegavi, Prisca
dc.contributor.authorWeaich, Malcolm
dc.contributor.authorAdewunmi, Yewande
dc.contributor.authorNdlovu, Pride
dc.contributor.authorGethe, Faranani
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-27T20:07:31Z
dc.date.available2024-08-27T20:07:31Z
dc.date.issued2024-08-27
dc.descriptionCorrespondence: P. Simbanegavi, School of Construction Economics and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. E-mail: prisca.simbanegavi@wits.ac.za
dc.description.abstractUnlike most continents, Africa still grapples with urban informality, where housing shortages affect most people living in substandard conditions. Prefabricated housing (PH) presents an alternative option that provides a quicker and cheaper housing supply, although it currently lags behind demand. This paper examines whether 1) informal settlements can be upgraded using prefabricated/modular houses, 2) these housing types are desirable to occupants, and 3) alternative houses should receive as much emphasis and policy support as possible, particularly considering the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a comprehensive literature survey utilising a scoping review methodology, the paper indicates that stakeholders such as developers, financiers, and occupants of prefabricated housing increasingly embrace PH despite its challenges. The literature unanimously agrees that substantial efforts are required to catalyse more investment in PH regarding further research, education, supply chain improvements, and enhanced communication and collaboration among industry stakeholders. Additionally, numerous research gaps need addressing, including in-depth examinations of PH's contextual feasibility and performance across different geographical areas. The paper recommends that South African governments adopt PH as an alternative housing solution, as it is faster and cheaper, thereby aiding in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 11.
dc.description.sponsorshipWe extend our gratitude to Andrew Cappelli for the sabbatical grant awarded in 2023, which significantly supported this research.
dc.description.submitterMR Weaich
dc.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.identifier0000-0001-7238-3731
dc.identifier.citationSimbanegavi, P., Weaich, M., Adewunmi, Y., Ndlovu, P., & Gethe, F. (2024, August 27). The 'Massive, Little' Houses: 'Prefabs', A Solution for Informal Settlement Housing Crisis in South Africa! A Scoping Review. Proceedings for the Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing Symposium, University of Cape Town. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13381428
dc.identifier.isbn978-0-7961-9040-6 (e-book)
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/40349
dc.journal.titleProceedings for the Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing Symposium , University of Cape Town, 4-6 June 2024
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherConstruction Business and Project Management Group, University of Cape Town
dc.rightsCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
dc.rights.holderAuthors
dc.schoolSchool of Construction Economics and Management
dc.subjectInformal settlements
dc.subjectModular housing
dc.subjectPrefabricated housing
dc.subjectSustainable development
dc.subjectUrbanisation
dc.subject.otherSDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities
dc.titleThe 'Massive, Little' Houses: 'Prefabs', A Solution for Informal Settlement Housing Crisis in South Africa! A Scoping Review
dc.typeArticle
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Unlike most continents, Africa still grapples with urban informality, where housing shortages affect most people living in substandard conditions. Prefabricated housing (PH) presents an alternative option that provides a quicker and cheaper housing supply, although it currently lags behind demand. This paper examines whether 1) informal settlements can be upgraded using prefabricated/modular houses, 2) these housing types are desirable to occupants, and 3) alternative houses should receive as much emphasis and policy support as possible, particularly considering the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a comprehensive literature survey utilising a scoping review methodology, the paper indicates that stakeholders such as developers, financiers, and occupants of prefabricated housing increasingly embrace PH despite its challenges. The literature unanimously agrees that substantial efforts are required to catalyse more investment in PH regarding further research, education, supply chain improvements, and enhanced communication and collaboration among industry stakeholders. Additionally, numerous research gaps need addressing, including in-depth examinations of PH's contextual feasibility and performance across different geographical areas. The paper recommends that South African governments adopt PH as an alternative housing solution, as it is faster and cheaper, thereby aiding in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 11.
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