An Assessment of Local Governance Procedures and Urban Housing Stakeholders’ Actions in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Urban housing challenges have intensified due to rapid urbanisation and weak governance systems. This study critically examines local governance procedures and urban housing stakeholders’ actions in Bamenda, Cameroon, within the context of decentralisation policy implementation. Aim: The research assesses the effectiveness of various stakeholders’ actions in achieving sustainable urban housing standards and evaluates differences in their approaches. Study Design: A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Bamenda, the largest city and regional headquarters of the Northwest Region of Cameroon, from June 2023 to August 2024. Methodology: Relevant data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources made use of surveys of 520 respondents, key informant interviews and spatial analysis. Secondary data sources included municipal records, government policy documents, NGO reports and academic publications related to the subject matter. Results: Findings reveal that the Bamenda City Council emerges as the most dominant stakeholder (41.73%), with combined stakeholder approaches showing the highest success rates of 34.91%. The evolution of stakeholder actions from 2010-2024 demonstrates a shift from material prescription strategies (70.83% pre-2010) to enforcement-based approaches, with strict supervision increasing to 42.45% between 2016 and 2020. Major barriers include insufficient funding, lack of political will, and poor coordination. Conclusion: The study concludes that enhanced stakeholders’ coordination, increased funding mechanisms and strengthening of community participation could improve urban housing outcomes in the context of decentralisation.