Investigation into the Energy Consumption Implications of Alternative Locations for Low-Income Housing Developments in South African Urban Areas

The University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, under the coordination of Professor Daniel Irurah, is conducting a cost-benefit analysis investigating energy consumption patterns related to low-income housing location in South Africa. The project is funded by United States Agency International Development. The Capstone team was asked to assist in the preliminary stages of the project. The Capstone team conducted an international literature review, focused on the social and economic costs and benefits of housing location. The Capstone team also conducted two weeks of field work in Johannesburg in order to determine the relevancy of particular international case-studies to the current South African situation. The results of the literature review and field work led to the design of four pilot surveys, aimed at relevant stakeholders (households, municipal government, land developers, and transportation operators), which will be the starting point of a more detailed investigation.