Workings of Township Residential Property Markets Study: Phase 1 – General Research – Socio Cultural Dimensions

This report is part of the study into Township Residential Property Markets (TRPM) conducted in 2003 and 2004 and sponsored by the FinMark Trust, Ford Foundation, Micro Finance Regulatory Council / USAID, the South African National Treasury and the National Housing Finance Corporation. The study considered the performance and dynamics of property markets in South Africa’s former black townships.  The methodology involved a overall literature review, deeds search, survey of estate agents and developers, windshield survey, a household survey of 2000 respondents over 18 former black township areas in South Africa, and a survey of entrepreneurs.  Eighteen reports were prepared over the three phases.

This particular report seeks to understand the social and cultural factors that shape the ways in which people make decisions relating housing.