Latest News
New Resource: Backyarding - Understanding rental markets better: A synthesis of research findings in eight neighbourhoods in Cape Town
The informal backyarding housing sector is an important example of a community-led solution to South Africa’s housing problems. But it is poorly understood and often ignored in urban policy and programmes. Our recent paper draws on fieldwork conducted in 8 neighbourhoods in Cape Town in 2020. It shows the nuanced and complex nature of the backyard rental market and the…
Response to COVID-19 in informal settlements - NGO Submission
Isandla Institute has joined voices with a group of CSOs from across the country to contest the de-densification of informal settlements as the central thrust of the human settlements response to COVID-19. Rather, we propose the release of well-located land, accelerated incremental in-situ informal settlement upgrading, and strong social cohesion among other short-, medium- and long-term responses. You can read…
About Us
Isandla Institute is a key role player in the local governance sector, an important analytical voice on urban development issues, a convener of spaces of dialogue on urban citizenship, a producer of quality research, and a thought leader on issues such as informal settlements upgrading, urban governance and local level planning systems
Key Focus Areas
Urban Land
Promoting planning frameworks and land management systems that advance urban spatial transformation, the social function of and sustainability development.
Urban Governance
Promoting accountable, democratic, responsive, integrated and resilient systems of governance, as well as citizen agency in place making.
Urban Livelihoods
Contributing to systems, processes, policies and planning that enable endogenous development, meaningful work and sustainable livelihoods.