A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON LAND ACCESSIBILITY FOR PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN HOUSING DELIVERY IN URBAN AREAS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

Land accessibility remains a critical challenge for private-sector-driven housing delivery in urban areas of developing countries due to systemic barriers such as tenure insecurity, inefficient land administration, and regulatory bottlenecks, alongside market-driven factors like land speculation, socio-cultural constraints, and financing difficulties. This study examines these challenges and explores successful interventions, particularly through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and land-based financing mechanisms. A systematic literature review was conducted, analysing 26 peer-reviewed studies and reports covering legal, institutional, and market constraints, as well as case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa. Findings indicate that land tenure insecurity, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and fragmented land markets hinder private-sector housing investment. Successful interventions include PPP models (Botswana, Nigeria) and land-value capture mechanisms (Nairobi). Policy recommendations emphasize tenure reform, streamlined land governance, and land-readjustment strategies to enhance private-sector engagement in affordable housing. However, gaps remain in cross-scalar case studies and socio-cultural impact assessments.  Addressing systemic and market barriers through integrated governance reforms and financial innovations will be crucial to improving urban housing accessibility. Future research should explore scalable models for replicating successful interventions across different economic and regulatory contexts.