Rethinking Housing and Land Governance in Times of Crisis

Course description

This module explores approaches and strategies for addressing urban housing and land challenges by examining and critically questioning how different governance approaches and interventions shape and transform housing eco - systems and land governance under neoliberal urban development. The course focuses on how these policies influence the provision of adequate housing, access to land, equity, and socio - spatial justice. It emphasises the interconnected nature of housing and land policies, recognising that land security and tenure arrangements form the foundation for sustainable, inclusive, and adequate housing development. 

Students will explore a broad spectrum of policy frameworks and practices worldwide, ranging from top - down, state - led interventions to bottom - up, community - driven approaches . They will examine conventional to innovative solutions that lead to sustainable cities and communities.

This module provides a critical review of key housing and land approaches, including social and rental housing, community land trusts, slum upgrading and resettlement, incremental housing, sites and services, and people - led housing
initiatives.

It also examines housing policies aimed at specific and vulnerable groups, such as refugees, students, retired populations, and low - income households, while exploring the land governance strategies and tenure arrangements that underpin and shape these housing approaches.

Through key readings, lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, and educative games, students will critically assess how housing and land policy approaches have evolved and how they contribute to or hinder the realisation of equitable access to land, adequate housing, and spatial justice.

A hybrid workshop with alumni partitioners (which will be open to other tracks as well as alumni) working on addressing the housing and land crisis in Africa, Asia and Latin America in innovative ways will expose the students to different practise s
and contexts.

Learning objectives

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
1. Apply the principles of adequate housing , namely, availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and adaptability, to assess housing and land approaches and policy frameworks.
2. Evaluate how formal and informal housing and land policies address challenges related to tenure security, land development, participation, and equity in different contexts.
3. Analyse the role of policy design and governance structures in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and just housing and land systems. 

Students taking this module will gain conceptual, analytical, and practical insights that prepare them to understand, critique, and contribute to housing and land policy in diverse contexts that include: 

1. Deepening their understanding and analysis of policy frameworks; 
2. Strengthening their ability to analyse policy instruments and strategies; 
3. Understanding the implications of policies for different socio - economic groups;
4. Acquiring the ability to formulate evidence-based recommendations to improv e housing and land policies.

Key themes

1. Housing and Land Paradigm shifts
2. Current and emerging trends in housing and land
3. Housing Justice and Land Rights
4. Land and housing policies and governance
5. Housing policy approaches
6. Land instruments and tools 
7. Formal and Informal land and housing processes