Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon

Nformi Beatrice Maluh

doi:doi:10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

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Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon

Nformi Beatrice Maluh^*

Published in Urban and Regional Planning (Volume 9, Issue 3)

Received: 15 July 2024 Accepted: 7 August 2024 Published: 20 September 2024

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Abstract

Housing is a fundamental human need, but making sure that every person has access togood quality housing is a worldwide challenge. Public policy impact on the quest for housing adequacy and affordability is visible in Bamenda as Cameroon’s fourth city. This paper investigates the effectiveness of institutional policy and structures put in place to determine the on-going processes of housing management in Bamenda. To explore this nexus, explanatory design was used involving direct interviews of policy officials who operate within the cross sectorial housing institutions in Bamenda. The practice perceptions were captured through a 372 questionnaires survey on households in addition to field observations. Results portray that varied regulatory instruments have been enacted to mitigate housing and urban challenges as the 2004 Town Planning Law and its subsequent decrees signed in 2008, the 1974 Land Ordinance and the 1976 Decree to lay down conditions for obtaining land certificates, the 1996 Environmental Management Law, 1998 Water Code, 2004 Laws of Decentralisation and Deconcentration. Results also show that despite the number of housing institutions and policies put in place, housing practices in Bamenda continue to resist regulatory texts, land certificates and building permits fostering the illegal occupation of flood plains and risky slopes. This paper opts for an effective policy environment that enforces housing laws and regulations, while allowing sufficient flexibility to align to local conditionswithin Bamenda.

Published in	Urban and Regional Planning (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
Page(s)	112-121
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Housing, Housing Development, Housing Policy, Institutional Dynamics, Management

References

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[6]	Edjiane, M. A., Wamba, H., Tchomgouo, J (2022). Problems of Financing Social Housing and Access to Housing in Cameroon. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 10(9), pp. 299-313. http://ijecm.co.uk/
[7]	Fombe, L. F., Balgah SN (2010). Urbanisation Process in Cameroon: Patterns, Implications and Prospects, Nova Science Publishers Inc. New York.
[8]	Ikhlas, I., & Shiki, K. (2020). The Lack of Childcare as a Housing Problem: Evaluating the Role of Rusunawa Public Rental Housing as Transitional Housing for Low-Income Families in Batam City, Indonesia. Journal of Regional Information and Development, 9, pp. 82 93. https://doi.org/10.34382/00013276
[9]	Malik, S., Roosli, R., Tariq, F., & Yusof, N. (2020). Policy Framework and Institutional Arrangements: Case of Affordable Housing Delivery for Low-Income Groups in Punjab, Pakistan. Housing Policy Debate, 30, pp. 243-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511482.2019.1681018
[10]	Marutlulle, N. K. (2022). An Exploration of the Impact of Inadequate Housing on Health in South Africa. Sabinet African Journal, 30(4) 52-70. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-adminpub_v30_n4_a4
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[13]	National Institute of Statistics (2015) Growth of Cameroon population per region from 1976 to2013.
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[15]	Ndenecho, E. N., & Eze, B. (2004). Geomorphic and Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Landslides in the Bamenda Highlands, North West Province, Cameroon. Journal of Applied Social Sciences, 4(1), pp 183-201.
[16]	Njoh, A. J. (1992). The institutional framework for housing policy administration in Cameroon. Habitat International, 16(3), pp. 43-57.
[17]	Njor, A. J. (2003). Urbanisation and development in Sub-Saharan Africa, Cities, 20(3), pp. 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(03)000010-6
[18]	North D. (1990). Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: New York. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678
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APA Style

Maluh, N. B. (2024). Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban and Regional Planning, 9(3), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

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ACS Style

Maluh, N. B. Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban Reg. Plan. 2024, 9(3), 112-121. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

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AMA Style

Maluh NB. Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban Reg Plan. 2024;9(3):112-121. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

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@article{10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15,
  author = {Nformi Beatrice Maluh},
  title = {Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon
},
  journal = {Urban and Regional Planning},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {112-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.urp.20240903.15},
  abstract = {Housing is a fundamental human need, but making sure that every person has access togood quality housing is a worldwide challenge. Public policy impact on the quest for housing adequacy and affordability is visible in Bamenda as Cameroon’s fourth city. This paper investigates the effectiveness of institutional policy and structures put in place to determine the on-going processes of housing management in Bamenda. To explore this nexus, explanatory design was used involving direct interviews of policy officials who operate within the cross sectorial housing institutions in Bamenda. The practice perceptions were captured through a 372 questionnaires survey on households in addition to field observations. Results portray that varied regulatory instruments have been enacted to mitigate housing and urban challenges as the 2004 Town Planning Law and its subsequent decrees signed in 2008, the 1974 Land Ordinance and the 1976 Decree to lay down conditions for obtaining land certificates, the 1996 Environmental Management Law, 1998 Water Code, 2004 Laws of Decentralisation and Deconcentration. Results also show that despite the number of housing institutions and policies put in place, housing practices in Bamenda continue to resist regulatory texts, land certificates and building permits fostering the illegal occupation of flood plains and risky slopes. This paper opts for an effective policy environment that enforces housing laws and regulations, while allowing sufficient flexibility to align to local conditionswithin Bamenda.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon

AU  - Nformi Beatrice Maluh
Y1  - 2024/09/20
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
T2  - Urban and Regional Planning
JF  - Urban and Regional Planning
JO  - Urban and Regional Planning
SP  - 112
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1697
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
AB  - Housing is a fundamental human need, but making sure that every person has access togood quality housing is a worldwide challenge. Public policy impact on the quest for housing adequacy and affordability is visible in Bamenda as Cameroon’s fourth city. This paper investigates the effectiveness of institutional policy and structures put in place to determine the on-going processes of housing management in Bamenda. To explore this nexus, explanatory design was used involving direct interviews of policy officials who operate within the cross sectorial housing institutions in Bamenda. The practice perceptions were captured through a 372 questionnaires survey on households in addition to field observations. Results portray that varied regulatory instruments have been enacted to mitigate housing and urban challenges as the 2004 Town Planning Law and its subsequent decrees signed in 2008, the 1974 Land Ordinance and the 1976 Decree to lay down conditions for obtaining land certificates, the 1996 Environmental Management Law, 1998 Water Code, 2004 Laws of Decentralisation and Deconcentration. Results also show that despite the number of housing institutions and policies put in place, housing practices in Bamenda continue to resist regulatory texts, land certificates and building permits fostering the illegal occupation of flood plains and risky slopes. This paper opts for an effective policy environment that enforces housing laws and regulations, while allowing sufficient flexibility to align to local conditionswithin Bamenda.

VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Nformi Beatrice Maluh

Department of Town Planning, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1420-0460

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Maluh, N. B. (2024). Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban and Regional Planning, 9(3), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Maluh, N. B. Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban Reg. Plan. 2024, 9(3), 112-121. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

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AMA Style

Maluh NB. Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon. Urban Reg Plan. 2024;9(3):112-121. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15,
  author = {Nformi Beatrice Maluh},
  title = {Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon
},
  journal = {Urban and Regional Planning},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {112-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.urp.20240903.15},
  abstract = {Housing is a fundamental human need, but making sure that every person has access togood quality housing is a worldwide challenge. Public policy impact on the quest for housing adequacy and affordability is visible in Bamenda as Cameroon’s fourth city. This paper investigates the effectiveness of institutional policy and structures put in place to determine the on-going processes of housing management in Bamenda. To explore this nexus, explanatory design was used involving direct interviews of policy officials who operate within the cross sectorial housing institutions in Bamenda. The practice perceptions were captured through a 372 questionnaires survey on households in addition to field observations. Results portray that varied regulatory instruments have been enacted to mitigate housing and urban challenges as the 2004 Town Planning Law and its subsequent decrees signed in 2008, the 1974 Land Ordinance and the 1976 Decree to lay down conditions for obtaining land certificates, the 1996 Environmental Management Law, 1998 Water Code, 2004 Laws of Decentralisation and Deconcentration. Results also show that despite the number of housing institutions and policies put in place, housing practices in Bamenda continue to resist regulatory texts, land certificates and building permits fostering the illegal occupation of flood plains and risky slopes. This paper opts for an effective policy environment that enforces housing laws and regulations, while allowing sufficient flexibility to align to local conditionswithin Bamenda.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Urban Housing Practices of Policy Implementation in Bamenda, Cameroon

AU  - Nformi Beatrice Maluh
Y1  - 2024/09/20
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
T2  - Urban and Regional Planning
JF  - Urban and Regional Planning
JO  - Urban and Regional Planning
SP  - 112
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1697
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20240903.15
AB  - Housing is a fundamental human need, but making sure that every person has access togood quality housing is a worldwide challenge. Public policy impact on the quest for housing adequacy and affordability is visible in Bamenda as Cameroon’s fourth city. This paper investigates the effectiveness of institutional policy and structures put in place to determine the on-going processes of housing management in Bamenda. To explore this nexus, explanatory design was used involving direct interviews of policy officials who operate within the cross sectorial housing institutions in Bamenda. The practice perceptions were captured through a 372 questionnaires survey on households in addition to field observations. Results portray that varied regulatory instruments have been enacted to mitigate housing and urban challenges as the 2004 Town Planning Law and its subsequent decrees signed in 2008, the 1974 Land Ordinance and the 1976 Decree to lay down conditions for obtaining land certificates, the 1996 Environmental Management Law, 1998 Water Code, 2004 Laws of Decentralisation and Deconcentration. Results also show that despite the number of housing institutions and policies put in place, housing practices in Bamenda continue to resist regulatory texts, land certificates and building permits fostering the illegal occupation of flood plains and risky slopes. This paper opts for an effective policy environment that enforces housing laws and regulations, while allowing sufficient flexibility to align to local conditionswithin Bamenda.

VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download