Exploring the approaches and strategies of upgrading informal settlements: Learning from policy and practice in the city of ekurhuleni, gauteng province

Access to “adequate housing remains a big challenge in South Africa, despite efforts since 1994 to deliver affordable housing to about 2.3million poor households through project-linked housing subsidy schemes. The current housing backlog in South Africa stands at 2.1million households, and approximately 1.2million of these families live in informal settlements under conditions which pose serious threats to their health, safety and security. Against this backdrop, the government introduced ground- breaking housing policy reforms in 2004, which included a programme devoted to the upgrading of informal settlements.” The new initiative, crowned as the “Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme” (UISP), had the objectives to “eradicate” all informal settlements by 2014. With increased urbanisation, cities “become more challenged by the influx of people, which puts pressure on service delivery and infrastructure. Chapter 2 of the bill of rights section 24 states that; “everyone has a right to the environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and to have their environment protected for the benefits of the present and future generations” (Republic of South Africa Constitution, 1996). Consequently, this study aims to explore the approaches and strategies of upgrading informal settlements: Learning from policy and practice in the City of Ekurhuleni. It seeks to identify and flesh out the key policy gaps, in order to inform further policy learning. This study adopts relevant information from the qualitative and quantitative research approach. It applies a case study research design, using information from books, journal articles, national policy documents, publications and news reports, as well as internet sources. Data were collected through questionnaires (City Officials responsible for the UISP and policy implementation, and NGOs personnel assisting within the UISP in the City of Ekurhuleni), structured in-depth interviews, with key informants from the City of Ekurhuleni (town planners and NGOs officials responsible for UISP) together with observations, map surveys and photographic surveys of the upgraded settlements. The findings pinpoint the existence of comprehensive national legislative and policy frameworks in support of the slum upgrading initiative. However, the evidence suggests that the goal of slum eradication is still farfetched, due to several problems and challenges. The identified an apparent gap between the policy rhetoric, and the reality of implementation, which is characterised by notable inconsistencies, tensions, and problems. These have hindered the programme’s ability to make realistic improvements in the lives of slum dwellers.