Welcome to Human Settlements

This Chair is a national portfolio that carries a mandate of the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) in the efforts of leading the provision of advice and technical services in the professionalisation of the Human Settlements sector (and all related activities) in South Africa.

During 2012 the national DHS and the Nelson Mandela University sealed a Memorandum of Agreement on Professionalisation of Human Settlements Education in South Africa and the Chair for Education in Human Settlements Development and Management was established and launched at Nelson Mandela University in 2013.

The initial focus of the Chair was to the introduction of the four-year Bachelor of Human Settlements Development (first of its kind in South Africa) which commenced at Nelson Mandel University in 2014.

In summary, the role of this Chair is as follows:

• Professionalisation of the Human Settlements sector: the Chair is to provide advisory and technical services in the professionalisation of the human settlements sector in South Africa.
• Development and the implementation of a degree qualification: a four-year Bachelor’s of Human Settlements Development (BHSD) qualification.
• Development and the implementation of a continued professional development programmes: the Short Learning Programmes (SLP’s).
• Research and Innovation: Lead ongoing, sound and transdisciplinary research and innovation on the most pressing questions that confront the envisaged future cities and human settlements.
• South African Council for Human Settlements Professionals: Investigate and support the establishment of a professional body to govern human settlements professionals.