Essay Competition: Housing Finance in Africa

THE Foundation for Development and Environmental Initiatives (FDI), has flagged off the second edition of the Emerging Urban Africa Essay competition, throwing up for grabs up to $4,500 in prize money for student winners from across the African continent.
The essay contest, which is open to students of urban and regional planning in tertiary institutions across Africa, is an initiative hatched two years ago to commemorate the 75th birthday anniversary of Professor Akin L. Mabogunje, former Presidential adviser and doyen of geography and planning in Africa. The Emerging Urban Africa project is a tribute to the contributions of Professor Mabogunje to international discourse in his fields of activity, and to advance the cause for which he has committed the larger part of his working career.
The first prize is $2,000; second place prize is $1,500; while $1,000 is the  third place prize.

Chief Executive of FDI, Prof Michael Filani, said in a statement at the weekend that the theme for this year’s contest, the second in the series for which entries will close by Thursday July 31, 2008, is “Housing Finance in Africa.”

Housing finance is a critical factor in not only the housing delivery process, but also the consequent evolution of urban centres, given the soaring urbanisation rates being recorded worldwide, but more particularly in developing countries. Experts have stressed therefore, that a resolution of the housing finance cries would go a long way in tackling the housing debacle, particularly in Africa.

Competing students, according to Prof Filani, would therefore be expected to discuss such issues as the challenges of housing finance n Africa; evolving best practices in the sector, policy implications of new initiatives; and, access to mortgage finance for the poor.

All undergraduate and post-graduate students of urban/town planning in planning schools of English speaking Africa are eligible to contest. All submissions, which will not exceed 3,000 words and will be made through the internet, are to be copied to the Head of Department of the candidate’s planning school with name, full address, identification number and year of study, the statement said.

Winners will be honored at the third Emerging Urban Africa Summit scheduled to hold later this year in October.

More information on www.fdi.org.ng
on the essay, including submission details.
Full Article in Guardian Newspaper

~ by whichlevel on July 13, 2008.