Abstract
The rapidly growing population of Kumba, like other Cameroonian cities, suffers from the problem of poor and inadequate housing conditions which manifest through anarchical construction – a potential source of future conflicts. This study employs the interviews of 60 directly affected inhabitants and three focus group discussion which was complemented by secondary sources. The information obtained was subjected to content analysis in order to guide the development of the urban housing framework. The results indicate that driving forces of housing conflicts in Kumba include population increase, inaequate shelter, difficulty in obtaining builsing permits, poor urban planning, non respect of building codes, poverty and high rents. These factors manifest through self-generative conflicts which emanate from frustration, anarchical sprawling of settlements, demolition and confrontations, selective demolition and the absence of relocation facilities. Synergy among urban development stakeholders (local population, council authorities, delegation of Urban Development and Housing, landlords and FEICOM) represents a logical way forward in the institution of suggested interventions for housing improvement and conflict prevention. Key words: Housing conditions, conflict prevention, urban governance.
Highlights
The right to adequate housing is a universal right which is recognized at the international level and in more than one hundred national constitutions throughout the world
The interviews were directed to those who were affected by the problem of poor housing and demolition, municipal authorities and the Delegation of Urban Development and Housing
It is difficult to find a structure that respects all the laid down laws of construction and were houses are available, they are very expensive. This gave rise to the haphazard construction of poor quality housing which has continued unabated despite the clarion call by the city authorities for the inhabitants to respect the laid down building codes
Summary
The right to adequate housing is a universal right which is recognized at the international level and in more than one hundred national constitutions throughout the world. It is a right recognized as valid for every individual person. It is shocking to note that in spite of this right, the number of homeless, inadequately housed, and evicted persons are increasing in the world, especially in urban centres (Golay and Özden, 2007).
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