Re-blocking informal settlements: investigating the hazard and risk reduction strategy for Langaville, City of Ekurhuleni, South Africa
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Date
2020
Authors
Tsebe, Esther Shadi Morakane
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate re-blocking Langaville Informal Settlement in the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study affirms that re-blocking improved the lives of community members in informal settlements in such a manner as to optimally use space to promote the health, safety and well-being of households, with particular focus on promoting accelerated service delivery to informal settlements in the City of Ekurhuleni Gauteng Province of South Africa. Core of the investigation was hazard and risk reduction strategy. To meet the objectives of the study both qualitative and quantitative research approach underpinned by the theory of risk reduction was used. The study employed a research questionnaire that was used to collect data from randomly selected community participants and a focus group discussion, of which the participants were employees at management level in the City of Ekurhuleni and were identified from service delivery departments. Primary sources of data were obtained from both community participants and managers in service delivery departments. A document review of government documents, legislation and observation was used as secondary data sources. The researcher analysed data based on the findings of the questionnaire dealing with qualitative and quantitative (using SPSS program) study of Langaville Extension 1 from 230 community members and the second part was based on the results of focus group discussion that was conducted with the project team responsible for Re-blocking in Ekurhuleni municipality to arrive at a conclusion and recommendation, The study concluded that re-blocking did indeed reduce risks within the communities in Langaville informal settlement in the City of Ekurhuleni. It further purported that service delivery water, sanitation, electrification, waste collection and other public space improved in Langaville because of re-blocking. The study indicated that the community of Langaville Informal Settlement was happy with the improvements made through re-blocking. It also showed that service delivery improved DRR through re-blocking. The advantages of re-blocking were that Informal settlements residents would have improved access to basic services (water, sanitation, electrification, waste collection and other public space improvements) in line with available resources; improved partnership with settlement communities who actively participate in the planning and implementation of projects aimed at making the settlements livable and a safer integrated public realm. Challenges in the communities were also addressed through reblocking i.e., reduced fire incidents and budgetary constraints are addressed through staggering the program. The community of Langaville ext. 1 Informal Settlement was happy with the improvements made through re-blocking and they still felt that the government should assist in building the houses. It is recommended that the existing re-blocking forum be strengthened to enable managers to coordinate all re-blocking interventions and to follow up progress in informal settlements. Regular reporting and control are of utmost importance in ensuring sufficient resources are in place.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Disaster Management (Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa))--University of the Free State, 2020, Informal settlements, Land use -- City of Ekurhuleni, Informal settlements -- South Africa -- City of Ekurhuleni, Re-blocking -- Accelerated service delivery