16 May 2016

The Ministry of Lands and Housing is considering densification of homes as a viable solution for increasing accommodation shortage in cities and towns.

Lands minister, Mr Prince Maele, said this when officially opening the Housing Pitso in Gaborone yesterday.

Mr Maele said deliberate action had been taken to promote densification within urban centres.

Densification is defined as increased use of space, both horizontally and vertically, within existing areas or properties resulting in increased number of housing units.

“This move will curtail the uncontrolled sprawl of our settlements and reduce the cost of infrastructure provision,” he said, explaining that the capital city Gaborone had ample space which could be utilised in the implementation of densification.

Mr Maele explained that the growth strategy entailed provision of accommodation for the increasing population of major settlements by creating satellites townships in nearby localities.

Mr Maele stated that the growth point strategy would be carried out in a sustainable manner.

He also added that urban planning was important in ensuring efficient utilisation of land.

“We acknowledge that planning of land is dynamic hence we consistently reshape the role of urban planning so that it is more proactive, responsive, and inclusive, accommodates informality, and is embedded in good governance principles,” Mr Maele said, explaining that the Pitso was in line with the ministry’s efforts towards provision of accommodation for Batswana.

“The pisto has come at a time when the demand for affordable housing in Botswana has grown and continues to grow at unprecedented levels,” the minister said.

He said the demand for affordable housing has always been higher than its supply in the country and the situation has been worsened by restricted mortgage landing which has made access to open housing market even harder.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry of lands, Mr Thato Raphaka, said it was regrettable that the poverty eradication housing project was not being used by many of the targeted recipients.

“The housing challenge continues to haunt the ministry and has made use to realise that there is more that needs to be done. This is why we have called this Pitso so that we can share ideas on how to address this challenge,” he said. ENDS