Factors Affecting Design toward Affordable Sustainable Housing Delivery in South African Construction Industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish the factors that affect the design toward affordable sustainable housing delivery because housing is delivered above budget and unaffordable for low-income earners in South Africa. A sequential mixed method involving qualitative and quantitative approach was engaged for this study, and construction professionals were selected as respondents from nine provinces of South Africa to answer four points Likert scale quantitative questionnaires. A total of one hundred and fourteen (114) questionnaires were appropriately completed and retrieved from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics which include PCA, correlation, and regression analysis tools on SPSS version 25 to determine factors that affect the design with the regards to affordable housing delivery in South Africa, interview process is used to validate the findings obtained. The findings indicated that improper design leads to failure in achieving client objectives and causes a change in design and demolition. Lack of design of first-rate living conditions for a healthy environment, design sufficiency, and adaptability to meet people’s demand for cost efficient housing were the major factors responsible for unaffordable housing in South Africa. The study recommended that government should establish key policies on housing design to control resource waste and limit construction costs within budget. This will encourage the sensitivity of construction operators about resources control at the planning and implementation stages of housing production.