The notion of social production of habitat refers to a process whereby a network of stakeholders collectively determines the production and or improves the conditions of their own habitat (dwelling place and living environment). The process of social production of habitat is characterized by a large measure of voluntary action and people’s agency. New Urban Agenda highlights important urban challenges and questions that contemporary cities are grappling with, such as how to plan and manage cities, towns and villages for sustainable development. A key Sustainable Development Goal relates to “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This debate on the social production of habitat generated evidence based knowledge instrumental in improving practice of social production of habitat in the African context. Policymakers need to address key barriers to social production on habitat. There is need to improve legislation to make implementation rules clearer and more explicit, particularly around delivery mechanisms. The debate contextualized the social production of habitat for the African context by bringing civil society actors, academics, activists, practitioners, local government officials and political figureheads into a serious discussion about these issues.
