Graph 3: Employment Conditions in Albert Park
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census 2011)
Map 16 shows the patterns of unemployment in Albert Park. The highest and lowest concentration of unemployed people within the area have been tracked. As reflected in the map, the lowest concentration of unemployed people is east of Joseph Nduli Street, whilst the highest concentration of the unemployed people is to the west of the same street. This can be attributed to the fact that based merely on a visual assessment of the physical state of the neighbourhood, this specific area bares the greatest signs of decay and informality.
Map 15: Concentrations of Unemployed Residents in Albert Park
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census 2011)
6.8.2 Household Income Levels
The household income levels within a neighbourhood reflect the level wealth or lack thereof within the neighbourhood. As such it helps reflect how economically active the population is. Graph 4 presents a breakdown of the income per house-hold on a monthly basis. As reflected in the results, the majority of households within the neighbourhood either have no income or earn between R1 – R3200 per month. The international benchmark for the poverty datum line is set at those households who live on less than $1.90 per day (The World Bank, 2016). This translates to R27.81 per day and in essence, R834.30 per month. Based on these figures, it can been seen that by comparison the Albert Park neighbourhood is predominantly poor in nature
Graph 4: Household Incomes
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census, 2011)
Map 17 shows that the concentration of the poorest population within the neighbourhood. It must be noted that for this exercise only households found to have no monthly income and those earning between R1-R3, 200 where mapped out. As reflected below, the highest concentration of low income households within Albert Park resides west of Joseph Nduli Street. There is a correlation between the location of poor households and those with the least access to formal employment opportunities addressed in the previous section of the dissertation.
In part this can be explained in terms of the number of first time urban dwellers, refugees and foreign nationals who have chosen the Albert Park area for their home. Unable to afford or obtain the requisite documentation to register for formal jobs, this section of the local population find employment in part time work, small scale self- employment and the informal sector. The result of a local socio economic analysis suggest that the perception that Albert Park is a launching point for new residents to eThekwini and would have additional strategies to address the needs of this sector of the population and to prevent the areas or parts of it becoming slums.
Map 16: Levels of Household Income
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census 2011)
6.8.3 Most Active Employment Sectors
Having established both the employment and income conditions, it is also important to understand where the residents of Albert Park are employed and the different sectors operating within the neighbourhood. As such the following map reflects on a dot density basis with 1 dot representing 1 person, people employed in both the formal and informal sectors. As reflected in map 18, the majority of employed residents within Albert Park are employed within the formal sector. Key to note the way in which there is cluster of people who are formally employed east of the intersection of Park and Diakonia Street, possibly reflecting an apartment block that is more well maintained than those surrounding it and as a result able to attract wealthier tenants.
Map 17: Employment Sectors
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census 2011)
6.8.4 External and Internal Economic Opportunities
Although not an accurate reflection, existing land-use zoning of parcels within the study can give a very broad indication of some of the economic activity and opportunities that are offered within the study area. Due to the limited resources, available to the research and time limits in completing the research, it was not feasible to undertake a detailed on site land-use survey. In the absence of this land use survey which would give an
accurate picture of all businesses and institutions currently operating within and around the neighbourhood, the researcher has relied on data made available from official municipal records. It is acknowledged that this data has limitations but it is felt that it provides an overview of economic trends in Albert Park. Map 19 reflects the zoning for Albert Park and its surroundings.
Map 18: Zoning Map for Albert Park
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by eThekwini, 2011)
Diakonia Street are zoned as use for General Business. According to eThekwini Municipality (2016; 59), the General Business Zone is intended “to provide, preserve, use land or buildings for intense commercial and or business activities and Spatial Development and sustainable function of the Central Business District” (eThekwini Central Consolidated Scheme, 2016: 56 ). The zone allows the following land uses.
The General Residential 5 zone which has been applied to most developed parcels South of Diakonia Street is intended to “provide, preserve, or use land or buildings for high density residential accommodation together with retail, personal services, entertainment, offices, public facilities and related commercial uses at high intensities that comprise a city centre eThekwini Municipality” (2016;66). These zoning controls reflect the permitted activity within the Albert Park area and have vast potential for increased business development and thus
increased employment and economic productivity. The neighbouring industrial activity south of the study area also reflects additional employment opportunities for present and future residents. However it must be noted that in some situations there are people that reside outside of Albert Park but still work in and around the area.
It may be debated that most people do not desire to live within Albert Park as a result of the negative reputation it has gained over the years. The section to follow will look at this in more detail.
6.8.5 The Potential/Ability to Earn an Income
In a fast-developing world, the role that education plays in securing employment and in essence an income cannot be overstated. This is more evident and applicable in urban areas especially urban Metropolitan areas such as Durban. As such the following map 20 reflects the concentration of people with the ability/ potential to earn. This was achieved by mapping people with no education with the Albert Park area. As reflected in the map 20, the highest concentration of people without an education is between Joseph Nduli, MacArthur and Park Street, thus signifying that people within this area would be considered as having the least ability/ potential to earn through formal employment in the modern and future city. Key to note is that there are a number of parcels Diakonia and MacArthur that are reflected a minimal concentration of people with no schooling. This may be attributed to the presence of some University residence facilities as well as recent ‘Social Housing’
initiatives in the area. The provision of such residential facilities would generally attract a more educated population into the area.
Map 19: Ability to Earn - Albert Park
Source: Author, 2016 (informed by the National Census, 2011)
Considering the data presented, a discernible trend emerges namely - a portion of the neighbourhood east of Joseph Nduli tends to reflect an opposite character to that of the area to the west. The area has reflected the highest concentration of unemployed people, least educated people and as well as a high concentration of people without access to the internet at home. As mentioned earlier the area also has the most dilapidated/
decayed buildings within Albert Park. As such it can be said that this area shows the greatest signs of decay and is most needing of intervention.