Problem

To address housing shortages in post-apartheid South Africa, the national government introduced the RDP housing program, providing four million houses by replicating the apartheid-era NE51/9 four-room bungalow model - a standardised, low-cost housing design originally used under segregation. These small, uniform houses prioritise efficiency over cultural needs, making them misaligned with the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’, which values community and extended family networks. Meanwhile, these informal settlements are still marked by overcrowding, unsafe living conditions, and limited access to services.

Initiatives to improve settlements usually fall short due to cramped spaces, inadequate public areas, and limited opportunities for economic growth. These challenges perpetuate poverty and inequality and fail to address the systemic issues faced by residents.

Responses

The Empower Shack project in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, spearheaded by Urban Think Tank Empower (UTTE) and local organisations, seeks to provide an innovative housing solution by transforming a 3,672m² informal settlement into 72 two-storey row houses (narrow, uniform houses connected side by side) with toilets, running water, and space for business activities. A co-design process sought to tailor housing to family needs and foster economic opportunities through rentable ground floors. Local labor and affordable materials reportedly enabled residents to contribute to construction, ensuring community participation and sustainability. The design also includes environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, rooftop gardens irrigated by rainwater, and reduced land use, a reportedly significant environmental improvement compared to traditional models. Communal spaces like playgrounds and a community center also seek to enhance safety and cohesion.

The project’s success, highlighted by awards and media attention, has reportedly created opportunity for expansion, with 14 additional sites identified for similar developments. Ultimately, this scalable model seeks to integrate social and environmental benefits while empowering residents economically and socially.

Find out more: Architectural Review