Spaces of participation: A critical analysis of participation in housing projects in Whittlesea, Eastern Cape

Abstract

This study focused on people-centred housing development in a small town. Housing development projects have largely been implemented using top-down approaches. The literature suggests that ‘top-down’ housing development projects have failed because the views and concerns of beneficiaries were excluded. Due to the failures of the ‘top-down approach’, there is a need to include participatory approaches in housing development projects. People-centred development (PCD) allow beneficiaries to participate in all aspects of the project cycle.