THE METHOD AND PROCESS USED THE Housing Generator project was initiated in 1994, after which the idea was further developed, funds were generated, partners and supporting institutions were sought, and a definitive project plan was drawn up. THE Housing Generator project actually got under way in 1995 with investigations in South Africa by South African and Dutch professionals and by students from the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Town Planning and the University of Witwatersrand. Together with local parties, they investigated the needs and potential of the Cato Manor, Duncan Village and Wattville sites. Thorough planning, preparations and excursions were done with local institutions and individuals, such as project facilitators and community representatives. THESE visits produced a powerful image of the geography of the apartheid city and also the physical effect that it will have on future development. Subsequently, studios were formed in both the Rotterdam Academy and the University of Witwatersrand, where the information collected in the course of the research was synthesized in introductory ideas and conclusions, which later formed a vehicle for the initial concept competition briefs. IN 1996 the project entered a new phase. Urban Sector Networks became a new partner in the Housing Generator project. The Rotterdam Decision Conference in 1996 formed the next stage of the project. It was attended by representatives from South Africa and The Netherlands, including community representatives, non-government organizations, city councils, developers and universities involved in the project. The aim of the conference was to discuss and improve the concept competition briefs in various workshops. In addition, an excursion and task programme was organized for the South African participants as an investigation into Dutch council housing and urban planning experiences. After the conference the competition briefs were adapted and developed in Rotterdam, and after receiving the approval of the South African authorities, they were elaborated in the competition book. THE competition briefs were developed for Cato Manor (Durban), Duncan Village (East London), and Wattville (Benoni, Greater Johannesburg). As can be seen from just a glance at these briefs, the character of the tasks for each site varies considerably. The brief for Duncan Village focuses on mixed-use housing along the activity spine, and the integration between different environments. In Wattville it is about high density, multi-storey housing, in relationship with big open spaces (park, spine, lake). The Roosfontein brief concerns high density, mixed-use housing and facilities, as part of a large-scale urban development. THE Decision Conference itself marked the start of the public relations phase and the official launching of the competition in Durban, South Africa. The opening ceremony included addresses by the Dutch Ambassador, Mr Froger, and the Mayor of Durban, Mr Mlaba. From then on registrations flooded in, ending with a total of 450. The competition was held from August 1996 to the end of May 1997. In the end, one-third of the registrants (148) submitted plans. Each plan consisted of four A2 panels, plus an informative document. SUBSEQUENTLY the adjudication process took place, starting with site visits by the jury. The assessment criteria were drawn up at the sites, followed by the actual adjudication in Durban. The winners were officially announced and the start of the travelling exhibition was launched at the Ikusasa Conference in Durban at the end of August 1997. DURING the coming year the exhibition will travel in South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London), the Netherlands (Rotterdam), and other interested countries (Brasilia, United States). The winners will be awarded their prizes, and the results will be debated at the Housing Generator Closing Conference that will take place in November 1997. FINALLY, it is expected that larger institutions such as government, developers and city councils will take the winning schemes into consideration for implementation. If successful, the next stage of the Housing Generator project can start, where the initiative can be tested by actual physical delivery and putting into practice the results and opportunities identified and investigated during the previous stages.