You have a strong argument. . However, The reason I'm not optimistic about social housing in Nigeria is the institutional context (low-cost housing is actually the theme of my dissertation). Not because social housing in itself cannot work. I believe social housing should be a component of the welfare package of the state. The Scandinavian countries you mentioned are predominantly welfare states. Nigeria (and most african countries) ever since the IMF imposed structural adjustment programme have tended towards market driven neo-liberal policies. Social housing is not consistent with those neo-liberal policies. No government who claims to be privatizing government buildings like they have done in lagos and Abuja, as well as deregulate petroleum product will buy into the idea building social housing.

In the UK, the conservative government under Tatcher privatized council housing and provided a route to home ownership. It's because of the privatization paradigm that government staff housing was privatized in Abuja. In the US it has also failed because of the predominantly capitalist paradigm (there may be other reasons)

I agree that the Nigerian government should be socially responsible and have welfare packages. I'm not saying the reasons are justified. I'm just saying that social housing is unlikely in the present policy context. In a more developed democracy, this would be an issue of debate between political parties. That's why you have right wing parties (favouring neo-liberal policies) and left wing (favouring big government spending on social services). Unfortunately, that is not the case in Nigeria. The differences between the political parties are not ideological, hence peole change parties at will for selfish reasons. Unfortunately again, there are outside forces. Nigeria still depends on foreign loans (yar'adua took one recently). The loans come with 'conditionalities' and alot of the 'conditionalities' are in sympathy with neo-liberal policies. let's not forget that the inability to follow through with programmes because of corruption and beaureacratic inefficiencies in the case of Nigeria will add to the problem with institutional context. This is a reality that can not be ignored in Nigeria (at least for now)

The other thing is that you would want it to be sustainable. In other words, building 2000 houses this year, would not cause a dent in the hundreds of thousands living in slum settlements if it is not instituted by law as a policy that is to be continued and sustained.

In a larger global context (that is with respect to developing countries), this debate has actually moved from social housing, to sites-and-services, and then to self-help. Now what is predominant in low income housing discourse is community-initiated housing (which is what I am investigating). That seems to be the way of the future. It has its own problems, but its strenght lies in the fact that it seeks to leverage on the processes that the poor have used over time to build for themselves (eg slum settlements) to find solutions to the low income housing problems in developing countries. It is a bottom up approach that seeks to build communities and address other social issues.

I'm trying not to be academic here but I believe you get my drift.

I am thought that I kills English, but now I knew I is better than some peoples

Ok. We have heard.

@topic
No

_{she is taken}

Dis Guy:

Is there any reason why architects have not explored social housing estates (not too sure if they are the ones to recommend this)
in place of the very expensive 'low cost housing' being built nowadays, though they have their own problems especially with anti-social behaviours
congestion and environment with good design these can be avoided,

Social housing even in predominantly welfare governments does not work for several reasons:

1-the demand always exceeds the provision generating very long waiting lists.
2-Fiscal burden on government to both build, service and maintain the buildings.
3-It does not agree with the reigning private and market sector paradigm.

Architects might not be the ones to recommend this:
1-Most are elitist (this can be debated) and will not offer their services for social reasons
2-It might not be of any financial benefit to architects (who may be interested in their fees) because the government will find using in house architects more cost effective (since the idea should be low cost housing). In house architects in government works department are salaried civil servants.

most of the low cost housing schemes is a mockery of 'low income' households.

Most mothers have good intentions. . .but intentions along does not justify approach or actions. I have politely and consistently let my often domineering mum know her boundaries. Every relationship has boundaries and problems start when those boundaries are violated. I'm not married yet but she already knows that I have a mind of my own and take my decisions. Sometimes I'm called 'stubborn', but when I eventually marry, i expect that my wife will find it easier, since some of the lines of respect have been drawn long before the wife came on the scene.

Lol. . .you peoples are not selious

Eh? I did not understood what you mean

oops. . .thought it'll be someone else above me

Yes. . .

He's too decent for that.

You discover the flight you just missed (and was angry you did) was ill-fated. . . like crashed?

I'll sympathize with her and ask questions. _{since I've not done it wit her}

You are in Obama's dad shoe and your son eventually becomes the president of America?

No _{she's already taken}

I'll be interested in finding out why the interest.



What if you woke up and found out you are no longer a Nigerian?

steve49ja:

In love? like i broke up? Tell her to move on.
Inbetween da walls? Get a solution.


You had a man woman who doesnt know shit in da bed room

I'll patiently teach her the much I know

Your mum objects to the gal you want to marry because she is not from your state?

I might switch off my phone  . . . it depends

What if you woke up one morning and we are in 2035 and facing the realities of climate change?

patwhizkid:

Nope

Same here

steve49ja:

Lol. not to worry evrythin kwul

@post
He k[b]NO[/b]ws

Lol. . .Lol. . .

patwhizkid:

Lame!

Really?. . ._{you are entitled to your opinion}

steve49ja:

Lol. meanin i'll never date her? i might oh but you. . .arhhh you know nau

See. . . you just 'poured sand sand into your own garri'. . .

Dont worry, I know very well. . . same here

If I did not have the opportunity to go to school, I would still be good at what I do. . .Or so I think. . .cos it's an attitude

steve49ja:

If all things being equal

But all things are never equal. . .

patwhizkid:

Hiz namez fred

Kinda pseudo name, just for nairaland

She is a genius

steve49ja:

Shiuuu

Lol, same here

Lol. . . Munwa kwa -Mbanu! Oburo by force

No

nike4luv:

nay

. . .No wahala. . .it's a free world. You seem to be close by cos I'm in Cardiff

@topic
No. . .

_{I dont do same sex}

No. . .

_{cos it takes two}

Whiz kid, I guess that means genuis, right?

patwhizkid:

Nat at all

Why now? Anyway, Thanks. . ._{good riddance}

@post

NO. . .MBA. . . NEVER _{she doesn't want me either}

No pressure, you dont have to,

@post
It depends, if there is more to it than being a junior gunner_{, that can be tolerated}

Maybe, depends