Conventional Housing Schemes: A Means of Eradicating Informal Settlements. A Case of Mutare City Council

Abstract

The Zimbabwean urban areas face several social, economic, and environmental problems because of the sprawling urban informal settlements caused by the constant housing shortages. There is a massive mismatch between the demand for decent accommodation and the supply in urban areas. The ‘Operation Garikai or Hlalani Kuhle” that came after the 2005 Operation Clean up (Murambatsvina) is attributed to having forced more urban dwellers into the informal settlements. The effects of both Operation Clean up (Murambatsvina) and the failure of Operation Garikai or Hlalani Kuhle led to the mushrooming of illegal settlements, unapproved backyard structures, and unauthorized extensions in urban areas. As a solution to the problems, urban local authorities adopted conventional housing schemes for the provision of affordable housing. Therefore, this paper seeks to highlight the challenges faced and recommend strategies to implement conventional housing schemes effectively as a solution to urban sprawling. A qualitative research design was used, with the targeted population being in the City of Mutare. Non-probability sampling techniques classified into purposive and convenience sampling were used to come up with a sample. Document study, interviews and observations were the data collection methods used to obtain information for the research. The findings revealed a number of causes of urban sprawling with one of them being ineffective housing policies. If conventional housing schemes are to be implemented effectively and fully with the support of other stakeholders, the schemes have the potential to address urban housing shortages and eradicate informal settlements.