Insite Settlements Network

Paul Hendler of INSITE advises how to plan, finance and put in place Urban Land and Housing Strategies. Paul's clients are public, civil society and private sector organisations concerned with sustainable development. Real community participation inspires Paul's and INSITE's work method. This is the basis for focusing on community empowerment as an outcome of project work. Through INSITE Paul is the pivot of a network of specialised micro-enterprise consultants. INSITE's institutional project and intellectual memory covers Urban Land and Housing, Development Finance, Neighbourhood Economies, and Sustainable Energy. Paul and his colleagues do research, provide programme support, implement facilitation, and implement capacity needs analyses and training in these sectors. Paul and his colleagues customise INSITE's services to client requirements. Every job is unique. Practical project experience form the basis for Paul's critical analysis of broader housing and urban development strategies in South Africa and elosewhere. Some examples of what we do- Formulate human settlements plans and strategies, write policy and conduct research- Formulate policies, develop education and capacity-building programmes for such projects as land acquisition and release, social housing, tenant management, housing finance compliance, and so on- Research and analyse poverty and related social needs- Evaluate and assess social and economic development programmes- Develop training materials in communication skills, leadership development, coaching and mentoring and conflict management- Support grassroots community-based initiatives in areas of need.