Bachelor Of Social Science in Housing (BSocSc Housing)

SCHOOL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Adapted From UKZN College Of Humanities Handbook

BACKGROUNDPost-apartheid South African government inherited appalling housing conditions and these conditions continue to be exacerbated by the 21th century urban phenomena of increasing urbanization, population growth, globalization and rural-urban migration. While these urban growth processes contribute positively to human development, they also have negative implications for how urban governments are able to react to the demand for basic services, such as housing and related services. Informal settlements, slums, homelessness and a lack of access to basic water and sanitation are a manifestation of these challenges.

This structure Bachelor of Social Science in Housing degree teaches students about human settlements and its multiple dimensions, focusing on skills that will allow students to contribute to the housing sector and urban development. Coursework in the programme includes the social and behavioural sciences, public policy, development planning, housing finance, economics and technology. The structure of the programme exposes students to key housing concepts and theories. With an intention to bridge the gap between policy, technical and social dimensions of human settlements. Students are allowed to take relevant electives from a broad range of courses offered within the College of Humanities.

AREAS OF FOCUSThe programme focuses on both, national and international issues of human settlements. Although with a national focus, through a number of case studies students are introduced to international housing trends. The degree uses low-income contexts to analyse housing issues due to its rich and complex nature. However, the degree is not a ‘low-income housing degree’ but encompasses a broader range of housing issues pertaining to the access to housing market from low-income to high-income sector. Through this degree students are exposed to a variety of built environment issues such as the following:

Policy development International perspectives

Development planning Project management

Housing technology Project management

Housing implementation Community developmentUrban poverty Property

developmentUrbanisation Sustainable

developmentRural-urban migration Population

dynamics

STRUCTUREAt 1st year level students are introduced to theoretical, conceptual and technical aspects of housing. The programme recommends selected electives for students to supplement their foundation into their Bachelor Degree of Social Science in Housing from fields of Community Development and Economics.

At 2nd year level which is building up form the first year, students take on intermediary dimensions of housing studies. During this phase students begin to go into depth of what housing is about as both, a process and produce a field of study. There is a continued focus on developing technical skills and academic skills, project planning, development theories and academic skill of critical enquiry and articulation of ideas.

At 3rd year level students are then introduced into advanced housing concepts and theories. They are consolidated to housing as an academic discourse and they are taught critical research techniques in the housing sector. There is advanced engagement with key policy and implementation issues from both, technical and social perspectives.

FIRST YEAR – SEMESTER 1• Housing Theory and Practice 1A (HOUS103)

• Aim: To introduce students to wider housing terminology, typologies and housing evaluation techniques such as density. Introduction to layouts.

• Content: To equip students with the tools to understand and evaluate housing norms critically. To introduce housing issues in a wider perspective. To demonstrate a development of academic writing ability.

• Housing Technology 1A (HOUS101)• Aim: An introduction to the delivery of single housing units and their associated services including materials, construction

processes and quality control milestones.• Content: Illustrated sequence of operations, introduction to basic building materials.

• Introduction to Community Development Theory (CMDV101)• Aim: To introduce students to the history and theory of community development; developing an understanding of the nature

and dimensions of poverty and the meaning and use of measurement indicators.• Content: History and theory of community development; theories about poverty and community empowerment; indicators of

development.• Introduction to Economic Concepts (ECON111)

• Aim: To equip students with the tools necessary for them to understand how an economy operates.• Content: The course focuses strongly on the South African economy. You will learn the basic and important concepts in

macroeconomics and microeconomics, with more emphasis on macroeconomics.

FIRST YEAR - SEMESTER 2• Housing Theory and Practice 1B (HOUS104)

• Aim: To explore the implications of various housing configurations.• Content: Examination of Typologies such as medium density, high density, low density, low rise and high rise housing.

• Housing Technology 1B (HOUS102)• Aim: Exploring the components of buildings. Drawing conventions.• Content: Illustration of the range of components including on-site installations.

• Institutions in Community Development (HOUS104)• Aim: To build on the basic understanding and objectives of community development learnt in Community Development

Theory.• Content: This double module will have two foci. The first term will build on the basic understanding and objectives of

community development learnt in Community Development Theory. It will focus on developing knowledge and skill in leadership theory and working with small groups. The second term will analyse non-governmental structures and the role of civil society in managing sustainable development.

• Management 120 (MGNT102)• Content: The aim of this module is to provide learners with an introduction to the development of management theory, the

management process, different levels of management and the business environment.

SECOND YEAR - SEMESTER 1• Housing Theory and Practice 2A (HOUS203)

• Aim: To understand, community participation programmes and their impact on housing production.• Content: Introduction of community participation models and the implications of other state delivery programmes.

• Housing Technology 2A (HOUS201)• Aim: To introduce students to concepts of formal and informal construction processes, suspended slabs and the implications

of low rise construction.• Content: Formal building processes, roles or professionals and inspections.

• Human Habitat (HOUS205)• Aim: To introduce students to basic concepts in human Habit by assessing the sensitivity and vulnerability of the landscape

and settlements 'ecosystem and present nature of socio-ecological systems and human-environment interaction.• Content: The central themes in this module are human habitat and nature-society interactions, discuss the public awareness

about human settlements problems and their solutions, the formulation of Non-Governmental Organizations' policies and strategies in the field of human settlements and addressing the issues of human settlement in South Africa and the developing world are also included.

• Development Theories (CMDV203)• Aim: To introduce students to the history, concepts and contemporary development theories. Students will be exposed to a

wide range of theories and perspectives on economic, social, political, cultural and environmental development.• Content: History and analysis of major development theories: Modernization theory; Marxist theory; Dependency and Post-

modern theories. Discusses the objectives of development and varying concepts: participatory development; Sustainable development theories and contested terrains; Globalization theories and development frameworks. Studies specific South African cases and identify the influence of theory.

SECOND YEAR - SEMESTER 2• Housing Theory and Practice 2B (HOUS204)

• Aim: Introduction to social housing and the implications of high density housing.• Content: High density housing norms and standards, housing typologies, housing performance.

• Housing Technology 2B (HOUS202)• Aim: Introducing complex site building operations.• Content: Piling, site operations, vertical transportation and the roles of professional parties including complex servicing.

• Construction Economics (HOUS206)• Aim: To equip students with the fundamentals of the operation of the construction and building industry within economic

constraints, and explores the broad context of the construction industry within which housing development is delivered and managed.

• Content: The module introduces students to central themes, which revolve around the construction and building industry with a focus on housing; and conveys an appreciation of Construction Economics, the construction market, the tendering process, pricing and residential construction estimation, codes of practice and ethics in construction management, the construction process and measurement of residential work

• Programme/Project Planning (CMDV202)• Aim: To introduce students to the theory and practice of project planning, with emphasis on community projects• Content: Programme design; programme evaluation; project planning, management and control

THIRD YEAR - SEMESTER 1• Housing Theory and Policy (HOUS301)

• Aim: To introduce students to the implications of world-wide housing policy.• Content: The evolution of South African Housing Policy and comparisons to other countries.

• Sustainable Human Settlements (HOUS306)• Aim: To explore sustainability and sustainable development as a theme, and understand its links with and relevance to the

field of human settlements and housing.• Content: Evolution of sustainability thought; the Global Agendas on sustainability; pillars/imperatives of sustainability;

sustainable urban forms; spatial segregation and housing segregation in South Africa; land, location and integration; interpreting sustainable development in low and high cost housing settlements in South Africa; sustainable construction; sustainable housing finance.

• Estate Development and Management (HOUS307)• Aim: The aim of this module is to acquaint students with the fundamentals of urban economics, in so far as issues of property

finance, property investments, property development and marketing are concerned. The module is especially intended for exploring in the broader context, the underlining aspects of housing finance and the influence this has on housing affordability.

• Content: Central themes in the module involve the exploration of major concept and limitations of urban land economics, the nature and functioning of property markets and their sub sectors, sources and limitations of property development and marketing.

THIRD YEAR - SEMESTER 2• Housing Implementation and Management (HOUS302)

• Aim: To consolidate foregoing courses comprehensively in a simulated office environment based on a group resolution of a real design project.

• Content: Identify a realistic housing project, form groups to simulate a practice situation, synthesize and present final reports and layouts.

• Project Management for Housing (HOUS305)• Aim: To introduce students to key steps, tools and principles of housing projects management, by moving away from the

generic project management content to focus more on housing projects.• Content: Land, capital, human resources, legislative framework, a team of professionals, social dynamics, environmental

dynamics, quality control, banks and government, norms and standards, power distribution and communication strategies. Students need to be aware of how to deal with this complex situation for effective delivery and management of housing projects.

• Research Techniques in Housing (HOUS 303)• Aim: To introduce students to basic research techniques in housing.• Content: The module focuses on conventional and non-conventional research methods that impinge on the built

environment, including samples and sampling methods, questionnaire design and administration, data analysis, non-survey research techniques such as mapping and building surveys, and report writing.

• Practicals:Drawing Conventions: Brick CompositionAnthropometricsFloor Plan, Sectional Drawing : Single-Dwelling UnitSectional Drawing: Foundation DetailSectional Drawing : EavesSectional Drawing : Retaining WallFloor Plan, Sectional and Elevation Drawing: VIPSite AnalysisSectional Drawing: Manhole DetailIsometric: Clay Brick and Stretcher BondSectional Drawing: StaircaseConstruction DetailConcept PlanDetailed LayoutGround Floor Plan, Upper Floor Plan, Sectional Drawing, Elevations, Roof Plan: Double Storey Dwelling

ASSIGNMENT TOPICS

• Theory:Building Materials Integrated Human SettlementsSurface Finishes Sustainable Human SettlementsGreen Credit Ratings Human Habitat DevelopmentUrban Studies Municipal Accreditation FrameworkPopulation Dynamics Housing SegregationSustainable Development Local Economic DevelopmentSustainable Construction Common Structural FormsSustainable Urban Form Common Structural FailuresAncient Cities Global Agendas on Sustainable DevelopmentSocial Housing Community ParticipationDensities Taking-Off and Bill of QuantitiesTypologies Housing Production SystemsConstruction Process Sustainable Housing FinanceBreaking New Ground Micro-Finance InstitutionsPolicies Principles of Neighbourhood Concept

Land Use Budget Estate Development and ManagementSite Visit Reports Integrated Development PlanningFeasibility Studies Spatial Segregation

ASSIGNMENT TOPICS