Introduction & Background of the study
History of Informal Settlement
The history of informal settlements in South Africa can be traced back to the apartheid period of the 1960s to the current situation characterized by various changes and interventions. Informal settlements have characterized the urban landscape in South Africa for at least half a century (Huchzermeyer, et. A number of factors have contributed to the growth of informal settlements in South Africa, but basically it is a response to a shortage to housing, which is part of the legacy of apartheid.
The South African government has reacted harshly to informal settlements in the past and the illegality of these settlements has led to forced relocations (Knight, 2006). The situation worsened as forced evictions failed and informal settlements continued to grow. Knight (2006) argues that informal settlements are here to stay for the next decade and beyond.
It is assumed that many informal settlements need sustainable interventions that take into account the plight of the inhabitants, who have nowhere to go and do not own land. These common challenges are faced by informal settlements around the world, as well as in Barcelona 1.
Research problem
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, "8 veld toilets" were a response to the sudden influx of people into cities following the repeal of the Inflow Control Act (Del Mistro, et al., 2009). This scheme allowed the owners to be involved in construction; as Turner argued, "The main criterion in relation to housing was whether the owner was in control of the construction, design and management process" Marais, et al. Moreover, it did not solve the problem of the growth of informal settlements in South Africa.
The principles of the RDP have guided "development culture" in South Africa (Lyons and Smuts, 1999). Vulnerability typically refers to vulnerability to hunger – the gap between the ability to access food and the minimum consumption needs of the family. The report also notes that members of the CBO argue that the ward committee members are supposed to work hand-in-hand with the CBOs - the aim is to provide a range of skills and organizational expertise that the community can draw on to develop the capacity of individuals within those structures.
The CBO is supposed to facilitate development and the consultant should monitor it (CCS Grant Report, 2004). i) Clare Estate Drop In-Centre (CEDIC) is a CBO operating in the eThekwini Municipality, a community-based project supported by CHOSA that has benefited the informal settlement in Kennedy Road, Durban, South Africa. The project, which aims to reduce overcrowding in Cape Town, began as a joint initiative of all three levels of government - the National Department of Housing, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing and the City of Cape Town (COHRE , 2009). The continued operation of ART in 2006 (Phases One to Four) has been particularly problematic in Thubelisha, where there has been conflict between Thubelisha Homes and the City of Cape Town over the funding of service delivery, resulting in problems such as ablution blocks. it is not cleaned because there is no money to pay the cleaners (DAG, 2007).
In-situ upgrading of informal settlements, a new strategy, empowered municipalities to ensure "the provision of land, utility infrastructure and social amenities" (Department of Housing, 2004: 4). This approach, through its emphasis on the security of property rights, also postulates that “availability and access to urban land provide a sense of. During the pre-exploratory survey the researcher asked one of the project managers why they started with Barcelona 2 and not 1; she replied that "the Ministry23 of Housing has chosen Barcelona 2 because it was located in front of the airport, as it does not look good to the tourist, especially now that we are approaching the 2010 Football World Cup" (24:00, 2009).
One of the respondents stated that "The only thing that keeps us surviving is unity among ourselves. Project Manager 2 replied that 'the new BNG policy does not discriminate; it wants to bring sustainable human settlements, including people living in informal settlements without basic services Project manager 3 mentioned that 'the housing department must consult the waste department to collect waste'.
Recommendations are given in the study, in order to improve the well-being of the residents. Latrines in the Veld: Similarities in the Housing Policy of New South Africa and the Former Apartheid State. Latrines in the Veld”: Similarities in the Housing Policy of the New South Africa and the Former Apartheid State.
Toilets in the field': similarities in the housing policies of the new South Africa and the former apartheid state, (paper).
Research Objectives
Research Question
People's Housing Process' (PHP) after 1987 and was implemented mainly through self-help groups called 'Housing Support Centres', the name was later changed to 'Community Driven Housing Initiatives' (Marais et al., undated). However, this scheme did not succeed as it did not solve the problem of the growth of informal settlements in the country. Alfred Nzo is one of the poorest and least capacitated district municipalities in South Africa (De la Harpe, 2003).
The introduction of the 'Breaking New Ground' framework in 2004 resulted in the first Upgrading Informal Settlement Program (UISP), which provides a platform to initiate upgrading projects which do not require project-linked housing support funding (DAG, 2007).
Sub-Question
Thesis structure
The dissertation will be structured as follows: Chapter 1 deals with the introduction and background of the study, the research problem, the research objectives, the research question and the sub-questions. An overview of the experiences of informal settlements in South Africa and internationally is provided, in relation to identifying the role played by community-based organisations. The framework for this study is based on the following approaches: Sustainable Livelihood Approach, Development Approach, Community Participation Approach, Integrated Approach and Enabling Approach, in relation to the case of informal settlements in South Africa, specifically Barcelona 1.
This chapter also contains a summary of findings on Barcelona 1's living conditions, housing types, challenges and social networks. This is followed by a summary of the findings, a conclusion and recommendations arising from the findings and recommendations for government, NGOs, CBOs and the private sectors and ways in which the findings can be used to improve the situation in Barcelona 1 informal settlement.
Chapter Summary
Literature Review
Historical Background of Housing Development in SA
- The Native Urban Areas Act (1923 -
- South Africa’s Housing Delivery System and Housing Policy
- Site and Services and Self-help (1979 -
- Independent Development Trust (IDT) (1990)
Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP)
People Housing Process (1998 – 2008)
New Housing Policy, Breaking New Ground Policy
Poverty in Informal Settlement
Vulnerability in Informal Settlements
In-situ Upgrading as an Alternative solution
- CBO Case Studies in SA
International Experience: Informal Settlement Upgrading
- Case 1 - Kenya
- Case 2 - Brazil
- Case 3 – India
South Africa’s Informal Settlement Upgrading Experience
- Emergency Servicing Informal Settlement (ESIS)
- ESIS Successes
- ESIS Failures
Temporary Relocation Area (TRA): Case studies
- Langa Case Study
- Delft Case Study
EThekwini Municipality’s Informal Settlement Upgrading
- Case studies of Zilweleni In-situ Upgrading
Chapter Summary
Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Definition
Sustainable Livelihood Approach
Development Approach
Communication Participation Approach
Integrated Approach
Enabling Approach
Chapter Summary
The Study Area
Sources of Data
Secondary Data
Primary Data Collection
- Key Informants
- Focus Group Discussion
- Community based Organisation
Data Collection
Observation…
Data Analysis
Limitations
Chapter Summary
Data Presentation
Socio-Economic Facilities & Source of Livelihood
- Duration of the stay in Barcelona1
- Household Size in Barcelona1
- Economic Activities Sustained by Barcelona1 Community .…
- Trading Facilities
- Saving Schemes
- Transportation Expenditure
Facilities in Barcelona1 (Focus Group Discussion Results)
- Access to Shelter
- Findings on the Housing Conditions
- Access to Water and Electricity
- Findings on Access to Basic Service
- Sanitation Facilities
- Energy for Cooking
- Reason for choosing the present settlement
Community Organisation and Social Networks in Barcelona1 ….91
- Interview with the CBO Representative
Views from the Service Providers
- Project Manager’s view on Upgrading
- Lessons learnt on Upgrading
- Ward Councillor for Barcelona1
- Views from the Director of Policy
Chapter Summary
Summary of Findings, Conclusion and
The Role played by Community Based Organisation and Social
Sources of Livelihood and Socio-Economic Characteristic …
Most households in Barcelona 1 survive thanks to various forms of home industries, which is one of the mechanisms to deal with poverty. The employment findings in the study show that 38% of households in Barcelona 1 are involved in informal sector activities, indicating that the majority of residents are working to improve their lives, even if they do not have adequate houses and 20% are unemployed (Researcher, 2008). Transportation costs also play a role in this study, with findings indicating that transportation to work, school and other places is affordable where residents are currently located.
Residents should build where they are, rather than having to move to Greenfield development areas where they are far from workplaces and schools. This is one of the challenges faced by residents of informal settlements in South Africa, where people's living conditions are worsening instead of improving (Gemmil, et al: 2003).
Physical and Social Facilities suitable for adoption in in-situ
The researcher argues that housing policies should reflect the effects of development on informal settlements and South Africa can learn from international case studies of in-situ upgrading of informal settlements that have been cited in this study. One of the aims of this thesis was to look at Barcelona 1 informal housing conditions in relation to access to basic services, social networks and the existing community-based organisation. Furthermore, the research argues for the case of in-situ upgrading of Barcelona 1 informal settlement as a possible option to deal with inadequacy that they are currently experiencing.
Residents' social networks have been examined and it will be important for community organisations, NGOs and the housing department to work together to address housing inadequacy in South Africa in a way that does not disrupt the social network already in place. Planning Apartheid in South Africa: The Case of P.E. Informal Department of Knowledge Management, Cape Town. eThekwini Municipality's Informal Settlement Programme, paper presented at the Western Cape Provincial Housing Conference, Cape Town, 24-27 March 2003.
Managing Politics and Storytelling: Taking on the Challenge of Informal Housing in South Africa housing in South Africa. Statement by the children of South Africa on the attacks in Kennedy Road and the forced closure and looting of the Clare Estate Drop In-Centre (CEDIC), (Paper), Retrieved from: www.chosa.org, accessed: 20 February 2010. Politics and Protest in Shack Settlement of the Pretoria and Protest in Shack Settlement of the Pretoria – Witwatersrand – Vereeniging Region, South Africa.
South Africa Year Book 2002/3, Retrieved from: http://www.southafrica- newyork.net/consulate/housing.htm, accessed on: January 15, 2009. Can you comment on the current situation in informal settlement in KwaZulu- Natal and about the new housing policy (BNG). What policy is used by the eThekwini Municipality to determine which informal settlement qualifies for upgrading.
How will you as a councilor deal with the problems of access to basic services in informal settlements. Are there any programs that will take place in the near future on the upgrading of informal settlements in Barcelona 1.
