Master of Philosophy in Housing Development and Management

Many African countries are experiencing a human crisis in terms of the need for affordable housing, the provision of which, and the formulation of housing policy, is an urgent priority. In addition, these policies require that a developmental delivery process is employed in providing the houses, rather than simply providing mass housing. Developmental delivery includes community participation in decision-making, community empowerment through job creation and sustainable skills creation and other measures.

As a result of the above there is great demand for education and training in the skills needed by existing and would-be project management practitioners. This programme is intended to satisfy this need at the academic level of a Masters degree.

The first purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifiers with Postgraduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in Housing Development and Management.

The second purpose of this qualification is to provide graduates who can contribute to the provision of housing and take part in the housing policy development debate whilst helping to achieve the National objectives of social and economic growth.

The candidate must be a graduate of a four-year university first or Honours level degree. Alternatively have a three-year university or B.Tech degree with at least 10 years of work experience in a project environment.

Persons who are holders of a Technikon National Diploma, who have only 5 years of appropriate experience and who are eligible for the (sister) Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management course and who achieve consistently good results throughout, may be admitted to courses leading to the qualification.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Applicants for this programme must be capable of expressing themselves verbally, and in writing at a level that is acceptable in business, be numerate and able to read drawings and technical specifications and should poses demonstrable skills in terms of housing delivery, business administration or some aspect of community development.

a) Critical cross-field outcomes

Able to communicate effectively, graphically, orally and in writing that together with an ability to read drawings.

An understanding and ability to question and interact with theories and data and to interpret and derive conclusions from them.

b) General outcomes

Understand several models and all of the processes required in order accomplish low-income housing delivery;

Able to relate to National Development needs and objectives and how they may be achieved through housing delivery;

c) Specific Outcomes

Able to conceptualise and implement all of the processes involved in housing delivery.

Able to understand the theories and principles that underlie Urban planning and design policy and regulations governing housing.

Able to asses the potential impact of the project on communities and the community needs upon the project and understand the need to achieve social, political and economic development.

Understand current housing policy and alternative theories of delivery;

Understand elementary construction technology, project management theory and process needed to manage the delivery process.

Able to schedule for resource needs and to select suitable procurement systems.

(a) Through group discussion, written assignments that involve reading, drawing and reports.

Production of a research report and assignments set around problem areas and presentation of formal reports.

(b) Can the student argue for or against a given model for a given situation?

Does the student understand these issues and the appropriate methodologies?

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of following which will be tested through assignments and examination.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Each module requires the completion of assignments that are designed to combine several knowledge areas and require the candidate to draw upon theory and their own industrial practice and to compare them.