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|  | Sustainable development of low cost urban housing in Fiji : a case study of the Fiji Housing Authority
Author: Hassan, Abdul
Institution: University of the South Pacific.
Award: Ph.D.
Subject: Housing Authority of Fiji, Public housing -- Government policy -- Fiji, Housing policy -- Fiji
Date: 2014
Call No.: Pac HD 7388 .5 .H37 2014
BRN: 1198113
Copyright:Under 10% of this thesis may be copied without the authors written permission
Abstract: This thesis examined sustainable factors that can be incorporated into low cost housing development policy in the urban areas of Fiji. The objective was to study the low cost urban housing sector and propose solution to meet the housing need of lower income groups. In the process the supply and demand gaps in low cost urban housing development in Fiji was investigated. To learn lessons from other countries a review of the housing policies of Singapore and Australia was undertaken. Like many other developing countries, Fiji is affected by the current recession and high cost of living impacting on the lives of a large section of the population and in particular lower income earners. Past housing policy and practices have not kept pace with low cost housing demand resulting in the mushrooming of informal (squatter) settlement in urban and peri-urban localities. The lessons drawn from Singaporean and Australian housing study are very useful for Fiji. The study extricates the key ingredients underpinning these countries housing models success in promoting the economic and social well-being of their peoples by providing quality homes. The Singapore style of planning and development with high rise flats may not be easily transferable to Fiji, but it still provides broad principles as to how to respond to urban housing challenges. The success of housing development in Australia is achieved through linking housing policies and broader economic, social and environmental objectives. Fiji can learn several lessons from this country’s housing development policies and practices. How Fiji can benefit from the study of housing models is a focus of this study. Over the last twenty years the urban areas of Fiji have entered a phase of serious housing crisis, poverty and related social problems. Field research was conducted in four urban localities in the Suva-Nausori corridor to collect data on the nature of housing challenges for people in lower income brackets. It is evident from analysis of the information gathered from the household survey and key person’s interviews that housing policy and practices of the State and Fiji Housing Authority were grossly inadequate in addressing the serious housing shortfall in the Suva-Nausori corridor. xvi Challenges of sustainable low cost urban housing development as suggested in this thesis require a new framework. Ideally, it would need the embracing of several attributes such as state support and funding as shown by housing development models in Singapore and Australia. The outcomes of this thesis provide key housing development players an opportunity to think laterally to address Fiji’s urban housing crisis.
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