Housing Situation in the Bamenda Urban Space, Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

Housing is a fundamental human need, until now, making sure that every person has access to good quality housing is a grave challenge facing Bamenda Urban Space. This paper seeks to examine the housing situation and challenges to housing development in Bamenda Urban Space. The study adopted the mix method approach which involves triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Primary data were obtained from field observations, interviews and questionnaires administered to households. Secondary data were obtained from relevant official documents, published and unpublished sources. Satellite imageries and ArcGIS were used to describe the pattern of growth in built-up areas between 1986 and 2019. Data from questionnaire was entered using Epi Data Version 3.1, analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science Standard version 21.0 and presented in the form of tables, figures, plates and maps. Findings on housing situation revealed that, although the housing structures has improved, the housing designs, technology and level of maintenance are still low. The irregularity and unreliability in water supply, electricity supply and waste management systems have turned most households to alternative sources with poor quality. Urbanisation and urban growth are occurring without a concurrent increase in housing supply resulting to congestion, deterioration of basic services, pollution, inaccessibility, social vices, lack of privacy, poor ventilation and natural disasters amongst others. The paper, therefore, calls for the rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated housing structures, provision of basic services, construction of low-cost housing, encourage financial institutions to grant loans to real estate developers at low interest rate.