Minister Kubayi Unveils Human Settlements Research Strategy, Emphasizes Rural Development and Climate Change Mitigation

"Not only will this help us to reinvigorate rural development, but it will also assist us with mitigating climate change and its effects,” Kubayi said.

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has emphasized the need for intensive research to improve rural human settlements, focusing on both ecological sustainability and creating healthy living environments. Speaking at the launch of the Human Settlements Research Strategy in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Monday, Kubayi highlighted the importance of research in driving rural development and mitigating climate change.

"Not only will this help us to reinvigorate rural development, but it will also assist us with mitigating climate change and its effects,” Kubayi said.

The strategy launch coincided with World Habitat Day, observed annually on the first Monday of October. The event aimed to set a roadmap for research activities in the human settlements sector, laying out short, medium, and long-term timelines. The strategy seeks to foster partnerships with research institutions and outlines the collaborative roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved.

In her address, Kubayi acknowledged the complex challenges faced by the human settlements sector, including rapid urbanization, climate change, population growth, and economic stagnation. She highlighted that while much attention has been given to addressing urban land access issues—such as the rise of informal settlements and inner-city slums—rural human settlements have received far less focus. Villages, she noted, are struggling with depopulation, ageing populations, and inadequate infrastructure and services.

"Well-researched solutions are required as an antidote to these challenges so that we can create a peaceful, economically sustainable, and stable country," Kubayi added. She stressed the importance of applied research to address these pressing issues.

The newly launched research agenda is designed to inform policy development, planning, and implementation processes in the human settlements sector. According to Kubayi, the agenda will identify and address key problem areas and signal to funders and development partners which research fields require investment. Additionally, it aims to encourage collaboration among researchers to tackle common challenges and promote capacity-building initiatives by involving students in sector-specific research.

Kubayi also stressed that research should not only address current policies but also shape long-term policy and practice. "The nexus between policy, research, and practice is not linear but highly complex," she noted, emphasizing the broad scope of the agenda to ensure it influences policy over the next three financial years.

The Minister revealed plans to leverage existing research conducted across institutions and to pursue further research in critical areas. Collaborative approaches, including partnerships with organizations to fund shared research interests, will be actively encouraged.

Kubayi also announced the department’s intention to establish research chairs at higher learning institutions. These chairs will support research aligned with the department’s agenda, encouraging postgraduate students to focus on relevant academic topics. The departmental research committee will approve student-selected topics for funding, and the department will directly finance part of the research, including through commissioning papers and contributing to academic programs.

By promoting collaborative research and emphasizing rural development, the Human Settlements Research Strategy aims to create a sustainable and equitable future for human settlements across South Africa, with a focus on tackling the sector’s most pressing challenges.