Challenges of housing and transport planning integration: a case study of Kuils river, Cape Town

English: This dissertation studies the perceptions and experiences of the implementing officials of the City of Cape Town, as well as residents living in Kuils River, regarding the integration of housing and transport planning in the study area. A background to City of Cape Town is provided, which highlights the organisation's key challenges experienced towards the integration of housing and transport planning. In addition, a background study of Ku ils River, one of the northern suburbs of Cape Town, revealed key insights into the existing traffic situation challenges in Kuils River as the research study area. Kuils River is a low-density development area, dominated by private vehicle users and not very accessible to public transport users. The increasing residential developments put more pressure on the roads infrastructure and public transport demand. The research findings related to the integration of housing and transport planning show that there are substantial benefits for cities that work towards such an approach. Data indicates that City of Cape Town officials are aware of the current traffic situation challenges in Kuils River and considerable efforts, such as the expansion of the heaviest congested roads, have been made by City of Cape Town to address the traffic congestion challenges within Kuils River. What also came through the interviews with residents is that the current traffic congestion situation in Kuils River is attributed to poor planning by City of Cape Town, and that the roads infrastructure is not keeping up with the increasing residential developments in the suburb. Most importantly, it was found that to travel by private transport is a personal choice made by the residents of Kuils River, due to inconvenience and unreliability of public transport. Finally, the dissertation provides recommendations for City of Cape Town on how to move in the direction of an integrated housing and transport planning approach, specifically tailormade to and focussed on the Kuils River suburb. If there is commitment from City of Cape Town to improve the current traffic congestion situation in Kuils River in the longer term, it is a requirement that these interventions for Kuils River be planned for and be reflected in the next revised Integrated Development Plan of City of Cape Town.