October 2011

The October issue of Housing in Southern Africa features the 3rd annual International Housing Solutions conference, which tackles affordable housing development and finance. The event is a highlight on the housing calendar and gives developers the chance to pose difficult questions to housing's formidable financial players. Institutional finance funder, Nurcha provides a R73,5 million loan to Cosmopolitan Projects to develop affordable housing in Protea Glen. Russian based emerging markets investment bank and business group, Renaissance Partners has funded Tatu City, a world class mixed use, mixed income, economic hub. The new city could be a prototype for satellite cities throughout the continent. The privately owned new city municipality required a change in the Kenyan Constitution before it could be developed. Findhorn Ecovillage, in the north of Scotland, offers the very best sustainable practices for human settlements.

City of dreams

The Russian-based emerging markets investment banking and business group has developed a world class mixed use city 25kms north of Nairobi. A former coffee plantation was transformed into a mixed use, mixed income, economic hub. The 1 000 ha site mixed use site will offer 25 000 sectional and freehold housing opportunities for entry level home owners, as well as a business node with commercial, retail, light industrial, warehousing and technology park. A change to the Kenyan Constitution was required - before the site could be developed as a privately owned municipality. Findhorn Ecovillage

Conversations on housing

In September, private sector developers were given the opportunity to pose difficult questions to housing's formidable players at the annual Affordable Housing Development and Finance conversation platform hosted by International Housing Solutions.

1,54m properties without title deeds

FinMark Trust, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, has highlighted the state of affordable housing in South Africa. If up to three million houses have been delivered and only 1,44 million exist on the deeds registry, up to 1,54 million properties are in the market without title deeds.

Joburg's inner city housing

Nedbank Corporate Property Finance has thrown its weight behind an inner city housing renewal project at 16 Frederick Street. The R41 million redevelopment of the nine storey building will provide affordable residential studios, one and two bedroom apartments.

Findhorn's Ecovillage

Findhorn Ecovillage situated in the beautiful Findhorn Bay of Moray, in the north of Scotland, offers the very best sustainable practices for human settlements. The low carbon revolution starts at home and the village community has erected 61 ecological buildings using a mixture of building materials and unique construction systems including recycled car tyres and whisky vats, local stone and straw bales.