UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
Distr.
LIMITED
E/CN.14/HUS/12
15 May 1975Original: ENGLISH
r*
ECONOMIC COMMISSION PCR AFRICA African Regional Conference*
on Human Settlements
Cairo, 21 - 26 June 1975
GENERAL REPORT FROM UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA:
HDMaN SETTLEMENTS, COLLABORATION WITH HaBITaT SECRETARIAT ■ AND MAIN ISSUES INVOLVED TDR^UISaiSSlOJr rff C<CT\EEEIfCE
CONTENTS
Overview of African Conditions ii*
Human Settlements — — - — -"• —
Collaboration with Habitat Secretariat - — Main issues involved in work affecting
Human Settlements ---
Paragraphs Pagfe
-1-14
■15 - 22
-C3 - 28
1-3 3 - A
5 - 7
M75-992
E/CN.14/HUS/12
. ... . i/
OVERVIEW CF AFRICAN CONDITIONS IN HUMriN SETTLEMENTS
1. The situation in human settlements in most African countries remains unsatisfactory. The underlying factors are population growth, rapid
urbanization and resultant overcrowding, lack of finance, underdevelopment
of productive resources, and tht> failure to draw up and implement effective
housing programmes,
2. The population growth in Africa over.the last ten years has been at .the rate of 2.4 per cent per annum while urban.population has been
increasing at the rate of 5 per cent* Assuming the present population of the continent to be 350 millions a;Ad the urban population 42 millions, the overall population and urban population at the turn of the century .will cause unmanageable situations in urban settlements. In addition to
the population growth rate, the situation is further aggravated by the high, costs of construction. . .
3. The current cost .of constructing a 'simple but modern "type .of house ;
(three rocms with sandcre.te block walls and corrugated iron roof), including
sanitary facilities, is, on the average, .not less than US$2,500 in urban areas. A similar situation exists in rural areas where the poor quality of the houses is a major problem. Construction materials are wattle, daub, timber, mud and clay, The construction of a decent dwelling would cost.US$750. The non-use of domestic sources of finance anrt /building materials
has in the past resulted in dependence on foreign aidV't this aiid; ha^, p
diminished greatly since tho o.arly 1960s.4- In collaboration with the World Health Organisation, studies on the technical and economic anpects of community facilities.related to housing have been made. They pay particular attention to the basic cost of
installing water supply, sewage disposal and environmental sanitation problems.
5- Analysis of the human settlements situation in Africa, based on the
decisions of the Commission and the priorities established "by the secretariat, has revealed the immensity of the problem. It is unlikely that moro than
two houses per thousand inhabitants are being built annually. This can be compared with the United Notions call for ten houses per thousand in habitants. It was pointed out in a preceding paragraph that population increase annually in member States has been estimated at 2.4 per cent .on an average and the rate of urbanization is estimated to be nbout 5 per
cent. In the light of these figures, tremendous efforts have to be made in both urban and rural areas to provide improved conditions. This will not be easy. There are several problems,
6. Planning machinery is still weak. In only a few countries have matters of human settlements been integrated into economic development planning and allocation of resources is in most cases on an ad hoc basis. Progress has been made in establishing machinery but the existing organ?.rations ere generally ander-employed and their operations are haphazard because of the
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Page 2
lack of a stated policy and lack of programmes geared to economic development Generally, there are too msriy authorities and departments having direct
or indirect influence. The need is for oo-ordinated decision-making to carry out a national programme in a systematic way.
7. The present level of costs is high as a result of a complex set of factors, most of which reflect the general level of development end in flationary conditions.
8. Domestic sources of finance are inadequate although there is scope
for improvement, especially with regard to the utilization of the growing funds of social security schemes and cf national loans or development loans, some of which are already being used for the financing of housing.programmes in a few countriee of tl.ie continent. 1/9» In view of the inadequacy of domestic resources, most Countries havo resorted to external financing, but this dceE not solve the problem bb a large share of the materials used in construction are imported, and aid has
to be repaid in foreign currency. Increased utilization of local raw materials would contribute towards-foreign exchange savings. The total
■consumption of building materials and components in the sixties was esti mated at around US$1,200' millr.ono annually, of which 55 to 60 per cent is imported.
10. An" action-orisn+Wi programme to tacklo thesa problems has now been established as a result of the rsoommendationa of the Commission and thQ surveys carried out "by the secretariat. For the immediate future, the secretariat is adopting a pkased operational programme. Emphasis will be on completing the collection of data on existing housing stock and machinery for project implementation. These data ere to be used not only as a basis for future planning but alwo for providing advisory services on maintenance and repair operations to preserve the existing stock and improve obsolete dwellings at a comparatively moderate cost, thus contributing to^alleviating current shortages. In order to provide additional dwellings as quickty as possible low-cost and aided self-help housing programmes are to be acce lerated, using a. minimum number of standard designs This would enable ■ production of standard components and materials on a sufficiently large .
scale to reduce costs. . .
11. In order to meet an accelerated human settlements programme, the construction industry has to be reorganized. Building firms have to be africanized; building components standardized, and supplies made readily available. A reappraisal of -the entire rent structure is necessary for the effective amortization of capital already invested.
12. Three underlying long-term problems are housing policy, cost of housing and the production of building materials. Agreement has still to be reached on the necessity for a housing policy to be an integral part of national development plans. Within the framework of overall national development plans, housing needs, both rural and urban> have to be identified and priorities established so as to meet the needs of the greatest number of people and meks efficient use of existing resources.
1/ E/ 01.14/HOU/ //Hev, j.
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13. The best means of makirg'better use of present resources is to reduce the oo3t of housing, and related facilities. Activities of the secretariat are directed towards advising governments and public authorities on
improving marketing, handling, and transport facilities to reduce the cost
of materials delivered to the building site;increasing the productivity
of labour through a better organization of building operations on site and the'use of simple tools and machinery; raising the qualifications ofcontractors; continuity in house-building programmes and closer association
of all participants in the building process; development of better and more functional designs; modernization of existing bye-lewa and regulations, and development of applied research.■14, Finally, the local production of building materials and components is another field where action is required on a long-term bssis. There-is no shortage of natural resources in Africa, at least as far ao cement, lime, clay, non-metallic ores and wood are concerned. In view of the hydro
electric power and oil potential of the continent, the present scarcity of economic fuel and power does not present an insurmountable problem. The most serious obstacle is presented by the relatively small national markets for household fittings, sanitary ware, hardware, etc., in a great number of African countries, a limitation which, is further aggravated by the in
adequacy of transport facilities.
COLLABORATION WITH HABITaT SECRETARIAT
15. Pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 300l(XXVII) and 3128(XXVIII)
d^ted 15 December 1972 and 15 January 1974- which call for a United Nations Conference.on Human Settlements to be convened in Vancouver, Canada from 31 May ly76*> the ECa secretariat has collaborated with the secretariat of Habitat: UN Conference on Human Settlements at UN Haadquarters from the outset of this secretariat's activities.
16. In May 1973 ECa was represented at an informal working group t?f experts held in Vancouver, Canada to review the work of the Preparatory Group established within UN Headquarters. This Working Group discussed the general concept cf the proposed Conference, looked into the question of collaboration from Regional Economic Commissions, and decided on certain lines of action which could be taken in the inierim period ai*d prior to the appointment in Aj.ril 1974 of the Secretary-General for Habitat: UN Conference on Human Settlements, Mr. Enrique Penalosa. ECa maintained contact with the Preparatory Group, the Department c~ Eocnomic and Social Affairs, and the Center for Housing, Building and Planning
17. Following the appointment of the Secretary-General for the Conference, ECa was represented at a Working Group in September 1974 organized at
UN Headquarters. This Working Grcup comprised newly recruited Habitat secretariat staff members, representatives of the Regional Economic Commissions, and other invited experts. They reviewed the preparatory
process aiid the objectives of the Vancouver Conference, proposed preliminary draft on the structure of the Conference,and made refinements in secretariat procedures and procedures for collaboration with the Regional Economic
Commissions which include! a proposal to hold Regional Preparatory Conferences, 18. The Executive Secretary of ECa formed an internal working group
of the ECA secretariat comprising Chiefs of Divsions and senior staff members from all those branches of the ECA secretariat concerned with the preparatory process- At this same time, ECa was visited by the
Secretary—General for the Conference and he addressed, the-Executive Committee of the Commission at their meeting in November 1974« Consultations took place between the Secretary-Genera?,, and tho ECA Working Group on the objectives, of and the ?drainistration and technical arrangements for the Regional Preparatory Conference which was scheduled for June 1975. Mutual arrangements fav assistance were worked cut including assistance from
ECa resources personnel and the preparation of ECa documentation for the ,<
Regional Preparatory Conference. . . '
19* A representstivo of ECa tool: part in the First Session of the Preparatory x*
Committee for Habitat: 132) Conference on Human Settlements hold at UN Headquarters from 15-24 January 1975= 2Cjs LCCa representative took pert also in group discussions with the Delegations from the African governments which are members cf the Preparatory Committee. Those include the
Governments of:
Burundi Libyan Arsb Rapublic-
Centrol africau Republic Nigeria R^publique populaire du Sieira Leons
CongofBrazzaville) Tanzania
Egypt Uganda
Ethiopia Upper Volta
Gabon Zaire
Ghana Zombia
Ker.yc
This First Session of the Preparatoiy Cotnmiitee wa.T adjourned until August 1975* and it wac dsoid^d to hold the Second Session ir. January 1976, and
the Third Session inmediately before the main Conference in Vancouver.In the group discussions between Delegations from African Governments efforts were made to find a common position or. African affairs inhuman
settleients i^liich could ba adopted at the R-3giorial Preperstory Coiiference..and the main Conference in Vancouver.
20- Although the time ovailsbTe for pro-psr? tions for the Regional
Preparatory Conf3?_'3ncQ proved to be very tight, collaborative arrangements between ECa, the Habits t secretariat a:«d tbo Government of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, Gucraeded according to the time-table.
21* The Secretary-General for the Conference met with the Co-Directors
of SCA and_ the Host Government ir. Nairobi during the meeting of the governing '"ounoil of United Nations Environment Programme towards the
end of April 1975, It was agreed that letters of invitation could be deopatchod immediately to member States, ■ Associate Member States, United pstions and Regional Organisations, and to those non-governmental
organisations seeking to participate, a draii't daily programme inclusive of items of information for participates was drafted at this time. Copies are being provided . to participants in both English and French languages.
22. The Co-sponsors of tho Regional Preparatory Conference have placed- emphasic en the impact x,*h::.cli ;;an be achieved through the audiovisual
presentations,, There is opportunity in tho programme, for these to be made.
So A bas m3de its ?vk pTr.dc show and is seeking financial and technical assistance in preparing a film which could be made available at the main
Conference in Vancouver-, •
E/CN.14/HJS/12 Page 5
ISSUES INVOLVED IN WORK AFFECTING HUMaN SETTLEMENTS
23. ECa is preparing the followJLp.3 documents for t?ie Regional Preparatory
Conference, ... .
Symbol . -
E/CN.14/HUS/1
E/CN.14/HUS/2
E/CN.14/HUS/3
E/CN.14/HQS/4
E/CN. I4/HUS/5 E/CN.14/HUS/6 E/CN.14/HUS/7
E/CN.I4/HUS/8 E/CN.I4/HUS/9 E/CN.14/HUS/1O
E/CN..14/HUS/11/
Rev.l
■ ■ Title
Factors in regional planning affecting human settlements in Africa
Policies and" programmes in the orderly expansion of
•African cities and in land use policies and control
measures
Approaches ay.d methods to mobilize and channel financial resources for human settlements
Formulation and implementation of housing and infra structure policies and programmes with emphasis on utilization of resources
The role" of water in the development of human settlements The role of energy i» the development of human settlements Sanitation ar-d environmental services in selected
African countries ■ Migration of population
Housing in integrated rural development programmes . Manpower training requirements for infrastructure and housing programmes with emphasis on self-help methods and site and service schemes
Some sociological aspects of human settlements - The effects o? building co&ts and other, financial considera tions
It is hoped that all these documents will be available in the English and French languages to participants by the time the meeting in Cairo starts.
24. This documentation deals with various issues which were already known to people working in the field of human settlements, but the documents also., revealosorae new issues having political, administrative and tech-
nologioal implications. .
25. The main issues involved in the different sectora covered a>e shown -■ ■ towards the end of each document. Generally, they point to the need to establish national human settlements policy as a key element in the national
economic and social development strategy and an a focel point for anintegrated approach to solutions in. the crisis surrc~unding human settles mentsi_ They involve the preparation of plannand programmes at nationa] , regional and local levels concerned with the location, size, growth knd
inter-relationship-i-of the-humsn settlements network, whether $hey are
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Page 6
predominantly urban or rural. They involve the need to develop appropriate institutional machinery, e.g., Commissions of Government, to integrate and co-ordinate planning and programme implementation, and to improve' the
management of the existing iujman settlements network. Finally; they involve the need to educate and train locally and abroad the necessary technological aiid management manpower resources, and to provide greater scope for these -trained personnel to participate in the formulation of and decision-making on government policies. .
26. There are also subsidiary but important issues which the Regional.
Preparatory Conference will need to ventilate as desired. These include:
- national debt position and the debt servicing position when formulating programmes and their financial implications. This*
is of particular importance, where the need to expend scarce foreign exchange is involved,
— the methods of using capital in the public sector and the extent to which this may demand rationalization in construction and public works activities and institutional machinery therefor.
— the mobilization of domestic savings for investment in human settlements both urban and rural, and the establishment of adequate financial institutions.
- Consultative machinery for financial institlutions investing in human settlements including the National or Central Banks.
Thus the implications of financial planning includir^ these elements which it is neoessary to oonsider in formulating .projects for bilateral and
international aid, must be an integral part in economic and social develop
ment whereir. the above issues are all involved.27s ab depiated in the different documents and what has been stated
concerning the objectives of Habitat: UN Conference on Human Settlements,much emphasis will be placed on the necessity to raise, discuss end propose solutions to issues in the political and administrative fields. Attention
must be drawn however to issues of a technical nature on the role ofwater and energy in the development of human settlements, and on services of an environmental nature in African cities e.g., environmental sanitation.
This might include issues of l?*nd use particularly in urban areas, the structure of local government authorities, village revitalization, and how
to aohieve equitable distribution of social investment and benefits between urban and rural areas to include minimum standards.under which an undertaking
of government would be basic subsistence support for all oitiaens.
28. For the purpoae of the Regional African Conference end the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver, the ;sc.a. secretariat supports the introduction of audiovisual presentations which it believes will greatly assist in coming to correct conclusions aid forming reoommend- ations. From these presentations may be seen the exchange between countries of different and good solutions in major and detailed layout plans for
human settlements in the urban, peri-urban and rural areas. There are
also good solutions in design's for buildings using local materials such
E/CK. U/HDTS/12 Page 7
stone, cement, timber and earth. Here, "by considerstion of different solutions the Conference can recommend improvements as to quality of planning and building by reconciling the cultural and ethnic traditions with modem economic and technological possibilities of the present day.
