Change by Design Johannesburg (September 2023)

• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Date: September, 2023
• Programme: Change by Design
• Project Partners: 1to1 Agency of Engagement, IIED
• Activities: Peer Learning/ Reflection/ Communication

Exploring housing rights as defined by the UN, the South African Consultation, and national and local housing policy.

Historically, Johannesburg’s urban development has been heavily impacted by Apartheid spatial inequalities. This project also unintentionally took place after the fires in the inner-city, which claimed the lives of over 77 people; therefore, it worked sensitively to acknowledge and include these dynamics in the session.

ASF-UK and 1to1 Agency of Engagement, in partnership with IIED, introduced a peer learning programme which took place over a 1-week period. It contributed to a larger initiative ‘Change by Design Johannesburg’, aiming to support the right to adequate housing in the inner-city through community-led design and planning. The workshop placed a strong emphasis on understanding housing rights and their relevance to inner-city housing, with a particular focus on the role of policy and planning in recognising, protecting, and fulfilling these rights. It featured a mix of presentations, discussions and group exercises, encouraging participants to reflect on what is missing from public policy and future practice, while attempting to connect larger policy frameworks to lived experiences in the inner-city.

The workshop resulted in the publication of “The Right to Adequate Housing – Practical Guide for Communities”. It collates key points of interest and interpretations raised during the workshop discussions.

The discussions amongst workshop participants also established the importance of multilingual resources in order to ensure wider accessibility and inclusivity, producing the report in English, Sotho and Zulu. As well as this, the language used in policies needs to be clear and understandable.