Location
The Knowledge Exchange is a response to an identified need for increased information exchange in the Southern African region. It has been developed as a broad collaboration of partners, with the CSIR acting as the custodian.
The purpose of the Urban Knowledge Exchange is to improve the delivery of better quality human settlements, towns and cities by making reliable, evidence-based knowledge more widely accessible. It encompasses thematic areas such as sustainable human settlement development and management, better infrastructure and services, access to well-located land, efficient shelter production, a more functional residential property market, improved transport networks, more equitable urban development, good governance, building resilience and responding to climate change, and promoting more affordable housing finance.
The knowledge repository is devoted to promoting innovation and good practice for cities, towns, and villages through offering links to an online library, knowledge directory, upcoming events, moderated debates, portal (links to further hubs), and content uploading facility. With the aim to collaborate with existing platforms on various locational scales the project will further provide opportunities for global information sharing.
Members:
Resources
Displaying 26 - 30 of 45State of the Cities Report 2011 - Towards resilient cities
South African cities are under the national and international spotlight again. Community protests over service delivery, disputes about councillor selection, mismanagement and underspending of municipal budgets, and recurrent billing problems have attracted growing public concern. Yet cities have also been fêted for rekindling a spirit of national unity during 2010, delivering world-class transport schemes and leading the economy out of recession.
Taking stock: The development of retail centres in emerging economy areas
The last decade has seen a significant increase in the number of retail centres being developed in 'emerging economy' areas - townships and rural areas - in South Africa. In Soweto, for example, at least six shopping centres have opened their doors since 2005. Even in the townships of smaller South African cities, shopping centre developments have sprung up, changing the face of commercial transactions for many residing in these areas.
Urban land markets in East Africa
This case study draws on an analysis of urban land markets in the East African region. The research was undertaken by Paul Syagga, School of the Built Environment, University of Nairobi, and commissioned by Urban LandMark. Some learning and reflection activities based on the case study are provided. The next part of the document presents examples of how people access, trade and hold land in various East African cities. The final component of this document includes a summary of the key issues covered in the case study and recommendations arising from it.
Urban land markets in Southern African cities
This case study draws on a regional study of urban land markets in southern Africa. The research was undertaken by Resetselemang Leduka of the National University of Lesotho, and commissioned by Urban LandMark and UN-HABITAT.
Formal residential markets in urban areas
This case study draws on research that examined the formal urban housing market in South Africa. The research study was carried out by