Chair for Education in Human Settlement Development and Management (CEHSDM)

For more Information
Mr Wayne Draai
Senior Lecturer/Director of SoBECE
Tel: 041 504 3076
wayne.draai@mandela.ac.za

The Chair seeks to optimise the benefits placed upon the EBET Faculty by the university to lead the development and maintenance of multi-disciplinary human settlements academic programmes at both under- and postgraduate levels, since 2014. Formal education programmes are complemented by non-formal short learning programmes targeting practitioners in the three spheres of government and the private sector. A suite of short learning programmes (SLPs) has thus far been offered to Members of Parliament, Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and other government officials. These SLPs include topics such as sustainable human settlement planning, informal settlement upgrading theories and practices, social housing facilitation and administration, housing finance, housing business processes, project management, construction management, the theory of land use planning and management, property development and investment, property law and property valuation.

Particular focus is also  given to sustainability-oriented research for cities and for cities and settlements aimed at forging new paths to solution of complex societal problems such as impact of climate change, poverty and  inequality, employing methods that promote co-creation of knowledge between the university, community organisations, industry and international partners. The Ndlambe EcoSUN Green Village project in Ekuphumleni Township in Kenton-On-Sea is a typical innovative community engagement research which is pursued in a trans- and inter-disciplinary manner and anchored on a strong multi-sector engagement framework. The EcoSUN Green Village promotes science and technology transfer between South Africa and Germany, facilitated by the Nelson Mandela University (South Africa) and University of Potsdam (Germany) with participation and cooperation choices made by the Germany Department of Education and Research, the South Africa Department of Science and Innovation, Department of Human Settlements, the National Home Builders Registration Council and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The project aims at offering scientifically proven solutions for the key challenges facing the human settlements sector in South Africa, especially through the application of innovative technologies for water recycling and renewable energy use, organic waste management, green landscaping as well as education, job creation, and enterprise development and support.  In essence, the project seeks to demonstrate how a climate change responsive settlement can be designed from scratch, employing innovative technologies, harnessing multi-stakeholder participation and streamlining internal and external funding streams, and building sustainable communities in the Eastern Cape.    This project has also sought to introduce a Community Green Village Technician professional, with research and development involving the Berlin-Brandenburg Vocational Institute and Technical University of Berlin (Germany), the Port Elizabeth and East Cape Midlands TVET Colleges (South Africa) supported by European funding situated at Potsdam University, and implementation programme managed by Nelson Mandela University.

Academic and contract research continues in the theme of informal settlements, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, and the Lund University (Sweden). This research seeks to explore innovative interventions that can be pursued to bring about improvement in the quality of life of low-income urban settlements, with communities involved in finding long-lasting solutions to their challenges. Key issues that are explored include access to energy, solid waste management, and local economic development, decongestion of densely populated settlements to curb the spread of communicable diseases, addressing barriers to uptake of innovative building systems, alternative water, and sanitation solutions.

Meeting at the Head Quarters of BFW BB in Potsdam (Centre Prof Mbanga, 2nd right, Mr Buckram of BFW BB and far left Prof Soyez of Potsdam University (July 2019, Potsdam, Germany).

Meeting at Technical University of Berlin with Prof Meyser and Ms Li (3rd and 1st left, resp.) and Prof Mbanga (July 2019, Berlin, Germany).

A courtesy visit by Prof Mbanga, to His Excellency Ambassador Mr Stone Sizani in the Berlin South African Embassy (July 2019). The discussion focusses on international stakeholder mobilisation support for the roll-out of the Green Village concept in South Africa.

The Ndlambe EcoSUN Green Village Technical Team met the Eastern Cape MEC for Human Settlements, MPL Ms Nonkqubela Pieters and the Executive Mayor of Ndlambe Municipality, Cllr MS Khululwa Ncamiso for a project briefing (November 2019, Kenton On Sea).

Nelson Mandela University handed over certificates to 300 councillors, traditional leaders and municipality officials after a successful completion of a Human Settlements Management Short Learning Programme (April 2019, NMU, Port Elizabeth).

Nelson Mandela University handed over certificates to 45 Members of Parliament after a successful completion of a Human Settlements Management Short Learning Programme (February 2020, Old Assembly, Cape Town)

M Arch student from Lund University in Sweden together with Nelson Mandela University Departments of Buildings 7 Human Settlements and Architecture do a pre-assessment of the Vistarus Rolihlahla informal settlement, accompanied by the Nelson Mandela Bay Spatial Planning Officials and Ward Committee members (March 2020, Port Elizabeth)

Nelson Mandela University Department of Human Settlements students and academics visit Walmer Area E (Illegal electricity connections) and Veeplaas Enkanini (sewerage burst) informal settlements (February 2020, Port Elizabeth)