The GAD approach as an alternative to create viable housing environments

Abstract

Paper presented at the XXXIII IAHS World Congress on Housing, 27-30 September 2005,"Transforming Housing Environments through Design", University of Pretoria.

ABSTRACT: Housing is a basic need after food. Generally, low-income people living in developing countries are still barred access to legal housing process. Whereas in developed countries both women and men participate in housing provision, in developing countries it is in fact still male “business”. Although lately many concepts and methods were developed to involve women participation in it, yet, they are still subordinate; having limited access both to housing finance (such as housing credit) or being involved in the planning of housing process. Although they are more at home, taking care of children and spend a lot of time in the neighbourhood of their homes. They are the most affected if the access to infrastructure and utilities (such as water and the way to obtain) is insufficient. Due to their small role in creating their housing environments, they are not able to develop themselves, adversely affecting members of the household in improving a better and healthy life. Some housing projects in developing countries show how low income communities achieved to build their housing as desired, for example participation in a community based organisation. Such projects seem to be successful. However, are such successes enjoyed by the whole family? To create an appropriate housing environment the participation of both genders are required. This paper will analyse the GAD (Gender and Development) Approach as an alternative to create viable housing environments. GAD approach focuses on the participation of both sexes. Their equity is a fundamental issue. The approach is not the current one (since mid 1990s). However, the transfer of this approach in housing environments is still low. The GAD approach will be tried to be implicated in some housing environment projects experiences which are supposed to be successful. Several case studies in Indonesia are described in this paper. The result will show; whether by means of the GAD approach a viable housing environment can be created both for women and men.