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Housing Issues and Challenges in the Global South
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:02
Abstract
Is not offered in HS20.
Objective
Acquisition of theoretical knowledge on the specific housing issues, challenges, and strategies in the Global South. The aim of this course is to sensitize students to the specific urban development and housing challenges of the countries of the Global South. This area of the world concentrates most of the future urbanization as well as the current development problems (poverty, housing shortage, informal settlements, etc.). The specific goal is to invite students to explore the issue of adequate housing in real contexts where technical feasibility, affordability and institutional capacity are important constraints to design practice.
Content
Core issues tackled in the lecture series: (i) The global scale of the housing challenges, (ii) A historical overview of affordable housing strategies (iii) Global Housing Policies, the role of UN Habitat and other international agencies (iv) The advantages and disadvantages of public sector housing (case studies), (v) Opportunities and challenges of self-help and incremental housing, (vi) Slum upgrading and participation, (vii) The urban embedding of housing strategies (viii) The development of strategic approaches, etc.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A course overview including lecture summaries is made available to inscribed students prior the start of the semester.
Literature
A literature reader with relevant texts is made available to inscribed students prior the start of the semester.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Housing Issues and Challenges in the Global South
Does not take place this semester.
|
No time listed | 2 h weekly |