ABSTRACT

Planned housing development and management in the world comprise the activities of planning, construction, design and management of built up areas. Bamenda I Sub-Division in general and GRA locality in particular has been experiencing a high population growth. The demand for land, houses and development of residential areas have resulted to the haphazard construction and development houses in the GRA area. The main objective of the study is to examine the dynamics in planned housing development and management in GRA area. This is based on the hypothesis that there are multiple stakeholders in the dynamics of planned housing development and management in GRA area.

The methodology used descriptive, survey and comparative research designs of field investigation to administer 40 questionnaires to the population of GRA. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. This was through field investigations and consultations of institutions and the internet. Findings reveal that there are multiple characteristics of housing development through construction in GRA seen in an increasing trend (50%) and poor planning of construction (12.5%).

The rapid development of housing in the GRA area have been promoted by a number of varied physical (35%) and human (65%) factors. Also, there are multiple stakeholders involved in the housing development and construction activities with 50% involvements of the population and state institutions. Stakeholders’ activities are centered on the building of new houses (45%), renovations (10%), maintenance of already constructed buildings (25%) and the supervision for planned construction (20%). There are multiple challenges hindering the sustainable planned housing development and management seen in land tenure problems (25%), administrative procedures (20%), poor implementation of urban planning policies (15%) and limited government action (12.5%).

The study concludes that the socio-economic transformation of any area is dependent on the involvement of the stakeholders with the construction of infrastructures for sustainable urban development. The study recommends that the population should increase the rate of collaboration with the state to reduce the rate of conflicts in the management of construction land and construction activities.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0. Introduction

The objective of this chapter is to give an understanding of the main variables of the study at the global to region, national and local scales. It develops the background of the study and the geographical planning issue. The chapter brings to focus the understanding of the research problem and the originality of the study. This chapter is divided into different sections: the background to the study, location of the study area, statement of the research problem, research questions, objectives and hypotheses, the review of related literature and the significance of the study. This brings the uniqueness of the study.

1.1-Background to the study

Planned housing development and management in the world comprise the activities of planning, construction, design and management of built up areas. This is aimed to promote a social equity among people, generate economic growth and also promote environmental friendly settlements through sustainable development. As planning is the most fundamental stage in housing development, the development plan system controls essential inputs as well as monitoring the successful implementation of sustainable urban housing (Etalong and Ezeodili, 2023). This urban planning mechanism through the development and management of constructions play an important role in achieving the 11^th Goal of Sustainable Development linked to sustainable cities and communities. The development and management of housing is therefore based on stakeholders’ objectives, policies, proposal and strategies for residential, commercial, industrial infrastructure (UN- HABITAT (2022).

Globally, 62% of the world’s population is predicted to live in cities by 2035, with 8% worldwide urban population growth between 2015 and 2035 (UN-Habitat, 2020). Global cities have increased with cities like Athens, Hanoi, Jakarta, and East Java (Indonesia), increased demand for land for recreation, housing, commerce, industry, and other land-intensive activities are acknowledged drivers of urban expansion. This is linked to structural factors like the ease of operating in urban land markets and planning regulations are known to affect urban expansion, the visible hand of government also plays a crucial role in regulating development. attest to the fact that the visible hand of government, along with her action and inaction, aid the escalation, guide and control of urban expansion (Abdulai et al., 2021).

In the developed world, according to the United Nation Centre for Human Settlement (2022), planned housing development and management housing is the most fundamental basic human necessities, and everyone’s wellbeing depends on its availability. People’s capacity to access education and other critical services, as well as their health, safety, and productivity, are all impacted by a lack of suitable housing. Therefore, all levels of government must prioritize housing creation in order to address the housing crisis, the process of building, remodeling, or creating residential communities or buildings for people to live in is referred to as housing development. It entails the preparation, development, and completion of several housing projects, including single family residences, apartment buildings, and even large residential communities (Boamah et al., 2021).

In the developing world, the purpose of housing development is to meet local housing demands, meet the wants of the populace, and create appropriate living places Usually, the stakeholders in construction include individuals, non-profit organizations, governmental organizations, or private real estate developers. There is poor planning in most developing countries (UN-HABITAT, 2014). However, inadequate planning only exists in response to the city master plan as the case in Nigeria where there is orderly growth of urban centres especially in Abuja and Enugu states (Bello, 2023). Planning the use of land is vital but not implemented in poorest countries. This means that the majority of the areas intended for farming, residential, transportation terminal, and commercial or industrial purposes are mismanaged or randomly developed and managed.

In Cameroon, housing development and management is still largely labor-intensive and most houses are made with locally available materials especially in indigenous communities. Low-cost housing construction utilizes mainly unskilled labor and it can therefore provide significant number of decent paying jobs for the poor who have limited employment opportunities and education (Kimengsi et al., 2015). Housing development is still unregulated and most of the cities are experiencing a housing crisis. It is estimated that 47% of the population of Douala and Yaoundé live in informal settlements. The annual housing deficit in 2013 was at 100,000 units (Fombe and Balgah, 2010). The problems of haphazard urban construction and the question of squatter settlements present a major challenge in most Cameroonian cities. In the North West Region, the extension of the built-up area is guided by Law No 2004/003 of April.2004, controlling housing development and management (Fombe and Acha, 2020).

In the GRA area of the Bamenda I Sub-Division, the process of urban sprawl has increased in the expansion of built up area in terms of housing development. The neighborhood is occupied with houses in poorly drained areas, poorly planned areas and narrow streets among other infrastructures despite the high quality residential houses (Fombe and Acha, 2020). The area has not any permanent land policy as there is the random development of housing infrastructures all year round. The rapid population growth in the city of Bamenda, increasing urbanization rates in Mankon and Nkwen areas have pushed many people to settle in the GRA neighborhood.

1.2-Presentation of Internship Institution

The internship was carried out in the Society for the Promotion of Initiatives in Sustainable Development and Welfare (SOPISDEW). It commenced on the 1st of August and ended on the 31st of August 2023. The main aim of the internship was to blend theory with practice. This report describes the various activities carried out at SOPISDEW during a month internship. While at Society for the Promotion of Sustainable Development and Welfare, activities were carried out in the following fields; Capacity Building and Entrepreneur, Sustainable Livelihood, Democracy and Peace Building, Media and Information, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. The intern had some weaknesses, that is, she did not go through all the fields.

 1.2.1. Brief History of the Institution

 The Society for the Promotion of Initiatives in Sustainable Development and Welfare (SOPISDEW) was created in 2010 and registered as a charity in Cameroon in July 2012 with registration number 08/AR/E.26/A2/PS/118. This organization is a non-profit making organization  SOPISDEW head office is in Oku in Bui Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. SOPISDEW’s goals are:

1. To create an enabling volunteering environment in view of tackling community development challenges.
2. To promote global cooperation and partnerships for sustainable development.
3. To promote local initiatives through direction of strategic humanitarian resources for community development.
4. To promote and protect the cultural and natural heritage of rural and indigenous communities.
5. To promote human rights, peace, justice and the rule of law in local communities.

SOPISDEW Cameroon is an apolitical, non-profit, grassroots community-based development organization created to empower rural and indigenous communities through innovative approaches. SOPISDEW’s programs have as major focus to improve organizational development and cooperation. To implement and achieve this, the organization partners with community-based, institutions, local NGOs, cultural groups, and cooperatives.