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Module 2: Housing Issues, Challenges and Strategies Global South
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:25
Abstract
With focus on the Global South, this lecture series will focus on the causes and the consequences of the lack of adequate and affordable housing, on governmental and non-governmental initiatives to overcome the housing crisis, and on the strategies that individuals and communities pursue to meet their need for shelter when formal housing is not accessible to them.
Objective
With particular reference to Asia and Latin America, the lectures will focus on the causes and the consequences of the lack of adequate and affordable housing, on governmental and non-governmental initiatives to overcome the housing crisis, and on the strategies that individuals and communities pursue to meet their need for shelter when formal housing is not accessible to them.
Content
With particular reference to the Global South, this module focuses on some of the causes and consequences of the housing crisis and on the key challenges to providing adequate, secure and affordable housing. The module consists of a weekly lecture to be complemented with mandatory readings. We start by reflecting upon the meaning of adequate housing with reference to the seven criteria that according to the International Covenant for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights define this concept: security of tenure, availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure, affordability, habitability, accessibility, location, and cultural adequacy. These criteria clearly show that the adequacy of housing needs to be analysed with reference to its broader socio-economic, cultural, political and environmental context. With particular reference to Asia and Latin America, the lectures will focus on the causes and the consequences of the lack of adequate and affordable housing, on governmental and non-governmental initiatives to overcome the housing crisis, and on the strategies that individuals and communities pursue to meet their need for shelter when formal housing is not accessible to them. It further focuses on the role of housing policies and built environment professionals, in making adequate housing affordable through various strategies, such as conventional social housing, aided self-help housing and cooperative housing. As part of this module students will also analyse the housing challenges and strategies of a particular country case and explore potential solutions through practical exercises.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A reader will be distributed at the beginning of the semester containing an overview of all lectures, the involved exercises, and required readings.
Literature
See semester reader.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Module 2: Housing Issues, Challenges and Strategies Global South
No course on 14.9. (first day of the semester)
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
MAS in Housing (1 year full time course in English, starting every autumn semester. Further information on Lectures, workshops, individual and group tutorials and excursions organized in the framework of the four modules: Cultural, socio-economic, demographic and political aspects of housing and human settlements (M1); Adequate housing and neighbourhood development strategies (M2); Housing for migrants, refugees, and people displaced by disasters (M3); Housing research and evaluation methods (M4). Introduction to the MAS Housing: Room HIT H 13 (Date and Time will follow in due time). Presentation of MAS Thesis Proposals: Room HIT H 13 (Date and time will follow in due time).)