Revisiting the Self-Help Housing debate: Perception of Self-Help Housing by the beneficiaries of South African low-cost housing

2.2.2.b The State in the role of planning housing activities

It must be acknowledged that for the advocates of liberal thoughts, the State plays the role of planning especially as facilitator and not as the main actor. This role of the State is well documented in Nientied et al (1988: 11). These authors argue that «the government has to provide, and actively protect, access to the elements of housing process for users. These elements include land, laws, building materials, tools, credit, know-how, etc.» The principle of fair opportunities should guide the planning of housing process. This principle States that: «Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged^11(*) so that they are both: (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle, and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity» (Rawls, 1972: 60).

Referring to this principle, successful planning should not become a tool of discrimination or segregation as it was during apartheid regime in South Africa (see Huchzermayer, 2003a; Schlongonyne et al, 2004; Mabin, 1995, etc) which deliberately sought to dominate black people in locating them in the poor land and separate them from the centre of economic activities. As Younge (1999: 3) put it:

«Urban planning during the apartheid era suffered from `top down' planning processes, aimed at segregation settlements, at disempowering certain racial groups economically, and at rigid control over land use in order to protect White residential areas from incursion by commercial and industrial uses».

In a few words, successful planning which is based on Rawls' second principle of justice seeks to empower everybody living in the city in allowing him/her to perform politically, economically and socially. It should especially aim at allowing social inclusion. Principles of liberalism in relation to the role of the State present strengths and weaknesses as well. The purpose of the analysis below is to focus on strengths and weaknesses of liberalism.

2.2.3. Strengths of liberal thought

The merit of liberal thought is to place the individual at the centre of their debate. The interest for the human being in general, and for his freedom in particular, is sacrosanct. It has given rise to what humanity holds as the bill of human rights, adopted in all democratic constitutions. Liberal thought empowers individuals and in turn gives them a sense of responsibility so that they can be the main actors of their destiny. Likewise, liberalism brought the concept of participation which is taken as the key component of development success and without which any sustainable or integrated development is impossible.

Related to the housing process, liberal principles and thought are explained in Lankatilleke who argues that: «housing is an activity of the people and not of governments and therefore people should be at the centre of the decision making process» (Lankatilleke, 1990: 24). The reason of why people should be at the centre of decision making may be found in the philosophical concept of individuals. Indeed, for the advocates of liberalism, especially Kant, the individual is conceived as a rational being, capable of pursuing his or her goals, without being coerced, and making good choices for his or her happiness. This liberal conception of the individual appears in Lankatilleke's (1990: 24) argument when he affirms that «People are resourceful, rich in initiative and creativity and need recognition, encouragement and support. Solutions to problems are found in the hands of the people and not with technocrats, bureaucrats or experts». Friedman (1998) expresses almost the same views as Lankatilleke when he argues that the planner must not only work for people but he/she should work with them.

In sum, liberal thought restores the value of the human being and finds out that a human being cannot be excluded or ignored from the processes concerning him/her. Related to housing process, it has been shown that when people are at the centre of the housing process, they express personal satisfaction and accomplish their housing needs (Turner, 1972 and Marais et al, 2003).

However, the question that arises from liberal thought is whether every citizen living in a society is able, on his/her own, to adequately address his/her housing need without being helped. In addition, one may ask whether personal satisfaction is always in conformity with the satisfaction of the whole community. The merit of liberal thought (personal satisfaction) which gives rise to the practice of SHH constitutes at the same time the main weakness or limits of liberal thought.

* ¹¹ Rawls does not ignore in some cases the existence of inequality within the society. This may look contradictory to main principles of liberalism to which he belongs. However, Rawls' innovation is his second principle of justice which is that inequality, if it happens, should allow poor people to acquire what he calls basic needs. This is why Rawls is considered as egalitarian.