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Leaving a Legacy Leaving a Legacy
For the past 5 years, Isandla Institute and DAG have engaged in enumeration, research, community engagement, dialogues, learning initiatives and advocacy to create greater recognition of, and support for, the backyard housing sector in South Africa. We asked various stakeholders to reflect on the Backyard Matters Project and its impact.
Mapping the small scale affordable rental housing sector Mapping the small scale affordable rental housing sector
The small-scale affordable rental housing sector is highly diverse. Awareness of crucial differences is important for understanding the varied ways in which they operate and their future growth potential and capacity to formalise. It is also key to developing appropriate responses and support interventions that adequately respond to the needs and opportunities inherent to specific sub-sectors of this housing market.

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.

Promoting systems and practices of urban governance that are democratic, inclusive, equitable, accountable and that build resilience.