In addition, the study should critically evaluate community involvement in the planning and re-blocking of informal settlements. Therefore, the aim of the study is to critically assess community participation in the planning and re-blocking of the KwaMathambo informal settlement. To what extent community participation was able to add value to the success of reblocking informal settlements in the KwaMathambo area.
A critical evaluation of community involvement in the planning and re-blocking of informal settlements. A determination of the challenges faced by communities and stakeholders involved in the re-blocking of informal settlements. A determination of the impact of community participation during the process of the reblocking project.
The impact of the re-blocking of the informal settlement on the community and environment. The findings of the research revealed that there were different types of community participation in the reblocking of KwaMathambo.
Informed Consent Form
Student contact details: Sifiso Zikalala, School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. First of all, I would like to thank you for agreeing to participate in the project, and I would like to emphasize that:. your participation is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without any negative consequences. your participation in the research is limited to this interview only, and there are no other expectations of you. you may be contacted for any possible follow-up inquiries, or to verify any interview transcripts. you are free to refuse to answer any question, or refuse to discuss a topic without judgment or prejudice. you will be given access to all interview notes for verification, and all findings will be made available to you. The interview will be kept strictly confidential and will only be available to members of the research team.
All interview data will be treated in such a way as to protect the confidentiality of all participants involved.
Questionnaire
In which phase or phases have been involved in terms of re-blocking projects. What challenges did you experience with the re-blocking projects in Kwa-Mathambo. Do you think that re-blocking informal settlements has a positive or negative impact on the community's livelihood.
What impact do you think the re-blocking of the informal settlements has on the surrounding areas.
Questionnaire
What measures, legislation or policies are in place to ensure community involvement in reblocking projects? What were the challenges you encountered during the reblocking projects in Kwa-Mathambo. What impact do you think the renewed blockade of informal settlements had on the surrounding areas?
Do you think that reblocking has strategies that can be implemented in other informal settlements as a form of in-situ upgrading of an informal settlement.
Questionnaire
Introduction to the Study
- Background of the Study
- Problem Statement
- Main Research Question
- Objectives of the Study
- Sub-Questions
- Hypothesis
- Study Justification
- Dissertation Outline
- Conclusion
There is evidence of the success of reblocking projects in South Africa where the key element of the success was community participation (Abbott, 2001). Chapter One introduces the study and provides the background to the study by briefly discussing the evolution of community participation in the planning and upgrading of informal settlements.
Research Methodology Used for the Study
- Introduction
- Research Methodology
- The Selection of the Case Study
- Sources of Data
- Primary Data
- Secondary Data
- Sampling Methods
- Purposive Sampling
- Data Analysis
- Limitations
- Conclusion
The case study focuses on the community of the KwaMathambo informal settlement (see Map 2). This study analyzes the thematic analysis method and presents the view of the beneficiaries and stakeholders who were involved in the re-blocking of KwaMathambo.
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
- Introduction
- Conceptual Framework
- Sustainable Development
- Community Participation
- Community Participation Levels within Re-Blocking
- Re-Blocking of Informal Settlements
- Theoretical Framework
- Post-Modern Planning
- Advocacy Planning
- Collaborative/Communicative Planning Theory
- Conclusion
A key principle of sustainable development is that "the right to development must be fulfilled in a way that justly meets the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations" (United Nations, 1992). Further, Arnstein (1969, p. 2) argues that participation is a channel for “redistributing power, enabling citizens who have not to be deliberately involved in the future”.
Literature Review
Introduction
The Prevalence of Informal Settlements in Developing Countries
- The Causes of Informal Settlements
- The Characteristics of Informal Settlements
- Challenges in Informal Settlements
Informal settlements are a common type of housing in urban areas in developing countries, especially on the African continent. Informal settlements remain a handicap for governments across the board in major urban areas in Africa. Informal settlements are generally built on the fringes of urban areas where land is vacant, neglected, has high rates of crime, disease and environmental pollution (Moser and Satterthwaite, 2008; Mahanga, 2002).
In addition, informal settlements are prone to fire and disease and contribute to environmental degradation and crime.
Community Participation: A Prerequisite for Successful Re-Blocking in an International
- Lessons and Principles of Re-Blocking in Freedom Square
- Mapping of Freedom Square
- Cluster and Layout Design
- Reflections of Community Participation in Re-Blocking
Following the exchange, the community proposed re-blocking the Freedom Square informal settlement, collaborating with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG). The drainage pattern of the area was determined by the community during field analysis in the main studio. The community garden was to be located from Block 1 and 2 which is the lower side of the settlement prone to flooding (SDFN and NHAG, 2014).
Power is in the hands of local authorities and residents are forced to comply.
Legislative Framework Guiding Community Participation in Planning and Re-Blocking
- The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia
- Namibia National Housing Policy
- Land and Housing Policy of the City of Windhoek
- Public Participation Policy and Strategy for the City of Windhoek
This is done to achieve Article 95 of the Constitution which must promote the welfare of communities (Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, 1990). Communities therefore had no say in the location, design of the housing and services to be provided (Namibia National Housing Policy, 1991). The Land and Housing Policy of the City of Windhoek aims to establish a culture of cooperation and participation with its citizens to allow communities to take ownership of projects and strengthen their self-confidence (City of Windhoek, 2000).
Therefore, the Land and Housing Policy of the City of Windhoek aims to achieve this by strengthening communication between communities and local authorities through continuous consultations and constantly informing the communities.
Community Participation: A Prerequisite for Successful Re-Blocking in a Local Context
- Application of Community Participation in Re-Blocking
- Lesson Learnt from the Case Study of Mtshini Wam
Therefore, the policy and strategy on public participation defines community participation as "the direct involvement and education of people through their democratically elected representatives, with the relevant stakeholders who could make a constructive contribution to the implementation of the identified projects and/or programs" (City) . of Windhoek, 2004, p.1). The re-blocking of Mtshini Wam was supposed to improve living conditions in informal settlements. On the other hand, this increased community participation results in the successful re-blocking of informal settlements.
The experience of Mtshini Wama has shown that reblocking could be used as a tool to upgrade informal settlements in the long term.
Legislative Framework Guiding Community Participation in Planning and Re-Blocking
- The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
- National Housing Policy Relevance to Re-Blocking of Informal Settlements
Moreover, Article 26 of the Constitution (1996) aimed at the integration of the poor in urban areas. This approach will maintain delicate community systems, limit disruptions and, in particular, improve community participation in all areas of progress (Department of Housing, 2004a). The GNH plan resulted in the development of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Program (UISP), which requires community participation as a condition for upgrading informal settlements.
One of the principles of the program is the empowerment of communities and their informal settlements through participatory upgrading of informal settlements.
Conclusion
Community participation in the IDP should therefore be based on the involvement between the community and local government, therefore communities are expected to be actively involved in finding the best solutions for development (White Paper on Local Government, 1998). Inadequate planning in the IDP can lead to poor participation and planning that does not respond to the priorities and needs of local communities for which it is intended.
Historical Background of the Study Area
- Introduction
- The Socio-Economical Profile of KwaMathambo
- The Provision of Basic Services at KwaMathambo
- Community Disasters and Social Ills in KwaMathambo
- Conclusion
When it comes to water supplies, the entire settlement uses a communal water tap that serves 87 percent of the residents. Most people walk around the huts to get some water for domestic use. One of the important findings that emerged from the census was that 80 percent of the total settlement consisted of one-room hut dwellings.
A significant number of huts (57 of them) use corrugated iron and zinc for roofing, which accounts for 19.93 percent of the total.
Data Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation
- Introduction
- Data Analysis
- The Process of Re-Blocking Informal Settlements
- The Role of Community and Challenges in the Re-Blocking Process
- Solution to Solve the Challenges
- The Impact of Re-Blocking Informal Settlements on the Community
- Synthesis of Research Findings
- Conclusion
Different perceptions of the reblocking process by municipal and CORC officials and KwaMathamba households. One of the reasons KwaMathambo community members decided to actively participate in the reblocking was that programs like UISP involve community participation. They were shown that the re-blockade was not an extension of the settlement due to people invading the territory.
The municipality's lack of interest in reblocking KwaMathamba highlighted the complexity of the informal upgrading process.
Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion
Introduction
Summary of Findings
From the responses of the families and from the observations made in the country, it was proved that the community preferred to participate in the re-blocking of their residence. Beneficiaries indicated that they preferred shacks built with corrugated iron to the types of transit camps provided by the municipality. However, some beneficiaries were not satisfied with the contribution to the improvement of their settlement, as they felt it was the role of the government due to their disadvantage and poverty.
It has been found that community participation in re-blocking can result in positive outcomes such as improving huts and the environment and minimizing conflict with the municipality.
Conclusion
In terms of decision-making regarding the planning and design of the layout, community members enthusiastically implemented the phases involved in the reblocking process, including the enumeration, the required financial resources, and the sizes of the plot and hut. Some have even learned skills and are now helping other informal residents interested in reblocking their settlements. The recipients were also happy that after the re-closure it was possible to get the municipality to provide them with services such as legal electricity, waste collection and washing blocks.
In summary, community participation in reblocking is important, as it gives the community the opportunity to plan and design the spatial structure of their settlement and improve their shacks.
Recommendations
- Recommendation on use of re-blocking as a program for informal settlement
- The recommendations on the proper implementation of policy objectives
- Recommendation on improving building materials, infrastructure
- Recommendations on enhancement of collaboration
Upgrading and reblocking informal settlements seems to be the best option the government can offer. This concerns the improvement of building materials and infrastructure in the reblocking projects. What measures, legislation or policies are in place to ensure community involvement in reblocking projects?
Do you think that the reblocking has strategies that can be implemented in other informal settlements as a form of in-situ upgrading of an informal settlement. What were the challenges you experienced during the reblocking of the Kwa-Mathambo settlement? What impact do you think the re-blocking of KwaMathambo has had on the surrounding areas?
