SA and Ecuador exchange notes on housing development and urbanization

The two leaders held a meeting on the sidelines of the 12th Federal Congress on National Urban Development Policy in Germany this week. 


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 20-09-2018 13:51 IST | Created: 20-09-2018 13:49 IST
SA and Ecuador exchange notes on housing development and urbanization
Deputy Minister Nel emphasized that land reform will be implemented with due respect of the provisions of the Constitution of the country. (Image Credit: Twitter)
  • Country:
  • South Africa

South Africa’s vision of integrated urban planning continues to be negatively impacted by the development of houses in the periphery of urban centers, says Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Andries Nel. 

However, the challenge is not exclusive to the country, as Nel discovered during his meeting with Ecuador Housing and Urban Development Minister, Xavier Torres. 

The two leaders held a meeting on the sidelines of the 12th Federal Congress on National Urban Development Policy in Germany this week. 

During the meeting, it also emerged that access to strategically located urban land for housing delivery was another challenge that both Ecuador and SA have in common, the Cogta said in a statement.  

Cogta said the two leaders also discussed housing delivery and urbanization within the context of national urban policy. 

“Minister Torres shared some of their challenges in the delivery of housing, which were made worse by the two earthquakes that ravaged their country and impacted their housing delivery programme negatively. 

“Minister Torres was therefore keen to understand the housing delivery programme of South Africa, including the types of houses that are being delivered to communities and how these are funded.”  

An area of mutual interest was how both countries could both learn from one another on the typology of houses that are being delivered, especially in areas where indigenous communities live in Ecuador and in rural areas and traditional areas in South Africa. 

Nel, the department said, provided background and context within which SA implements its housing programme.  

Nel also provided context and perspective on the issue of land reform in South Africa, with a specific focus on the importance of urban land reform. 

“He emphasized the importance of the SA land reform process being discussed within the framework of the Constitution. Deputy Minister Nel emphasized that land reform will be implemented with due respect of the provisions of the Constitution of the country. 

“He emphasized the importance of the Integrated Urban Development Framework as South Africa’s national urban policy that informs and guides human settlements within the broader context of urbanization,” Cogta said. 

The meeting was concluded with Nel inviting Ecuadorian officials to South Africa to engage further on housing issues and the Integrated Urban Development Framework.

(With inputs from South African Government press release)

Give Feedback