LowCovenant House

Stepping back in time, imagine Port Moresby after World War II. Migrants flowed into the city, seeking new lives. The colonial administration struggled to house them. Amid this backdrop, settlements arose, places like the LowCovenant House. These settlements weren’t simply haphazard clusters of homes. They were often established through agreements with Motu-Koita landowners, reflecting the traditional customs of the area. LowCovenant House, among these settlements, became a microcosm of the city’s evolving social fabric. The colonial administration’s initial tolerance for settlements like LowCovenant House eventually turned to concern. Officials worried about overcrowding and the development of an “underclass.” They attempted various strategies to discourage settlement growth, including denying basic services. However, the settlements persisted, becoming an undeniable part of the urban landscape. By the 1970s, the administration shifted its approach. They began implementing assistance schemes, mirroring similar policy changes in other parts of the developing world. LowCovenant House and similar settlements saw improvements like paved footpaths and access to water. This marked a significant change, recognizing the permanence of these communities. The different housing types in Port Moresby during this period, from high-covenant European areas to low-covenant and no-covenant settlements, created a complex social hierarchy. LowCovenant House, as a low-covenant area, occupied a specific place in this hierarchy. Its relative tidiness and proximity to European housing sometimes implied a perceived social proximity of its residents to the Europeans. This perception, however, didn’t always translate to genuine social integration. Discriminatory attitudes and cultural misunderstandings persisted. Even as the city grew and evolved after independence, the legacy of these distinctions endured. LowCovenant House stands as a reminder of these historical and social dynamics.