Strategies for Upgrading Informal Settlements Towards a Robust Built Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Addressing urban housing crisis, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, requires implementing informal settlement upgrading (ISU). This paper investigates, compares and contrasts government-led and community-led ISU strategies, assessing their efficacy in fostering sustainable and affordable housing options. Comparative analysis was done based on themes that run across literature, and emphasises important aspects such as planning and execution, socio-economic effect, financial sustainability, governance systems, and resilience. Results reveal that while they may be sluggish to implement, lack community involvement, and run gentrification concerns, government-led projects offer policy support and large-scale infrastructure. Community-led initiatives prioritise local empowerment, affordability, and participatory planning but struggle with limited resources and lack of official acknowledgement. The results further imply that hybrid strategies (mixing government assistance with grassroots involvement) provide the most hopeful road for sustained urban growth. Efforts to promote resilient ISU require fundamental methods such as enhancing community involvement, using digital technologies, and closing policy holes.