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HSRC Annual Report 2016/17
Economic Performance and Development (EPD)
“Development consists of the removal of various types of unfreedoms that
leave people with little choice and little opportunity of exercising their reasoned agency.”
Amartya Sen 1999
Profile of EPD
Through its research and policy proposals, the EPD Programme seeks to contribute to the creation of a productive,
inclusive and resilient country and continent through broad-based economic development and full employment.
The main purpose of the programme is to improve the evidence-base and understanding of solutions to the pressing
economic development and employment challenges facing South Africa. Expertise resides within the programme on
the dynamics of structural change as well as spatial development and migration.
Research highlights
Obstacles to Affordable Urban Housing
Well-located, affordable housing is vital to bridge inherited spatial and social divisions by bringing people to live closer to
economic opportunities. Higher density human settlements are important for the efficiency and financial sustainability
of South African cities and towns.
A study for the National Treasury’s Cities Support Programme examined the regulatory barriers and other obstacles to
the provision of accessible, inexpensive accommodation. It found that the national regulatory framework has several
important weaknesses:
Obstacles to Affordable Urban Housing
There are inconsistencies and rigidities in human settlements
policy in relation to the location and responsiveness of new
housing development to socio-economic realities
Complex and overlapping approval procedures in relation to the
environment, water-use and land-use planning systems delay
the delivery of housing projects and add unnecessary costs
A culture of compliance and risk aversion undermines the
pursuit of a problem-solving approach involving the private
sector and communities themselves
PART B: Performance Overview