De-densification of informal settlements as a strategy to improve the quality of life
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22189576 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mvuyana Bongekile Yvonne Charlotte (0000-0003-3193-5397, Mangosuthu University of Technology, corresponding author), Bongekile Yvonne Charlotte Mvuyana |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 16 |
| Pages | 10130 |
| Publication date | 2024-12-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2572-7923 • E-ISSN: 2572-7931 |
| Publisher | EnPress Publisher (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.24294/jipd10130 |
| OpenAlex | W4405565270 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 7 |
Human settlement patterns in the South are clearly inequitable and dysfunctional, with tenure insecurity remaining a significant issue. Consequently, there has been a dramatic increase in housing demand driven by rising household sizes and accelerated urbanization. Local governments have a clear mandate to ensure socio-economic development and promote democracy, which necessitates ongoing consultations and renegotiations with citizens. This paper critically examines the de-densification of informal settlements as a pivotal strategy to enhance the quality of life for citizens, all while maintaining essential social networks. Governments must take decisive action against pandemics by transforming spaces into liveable settlements that improve livelihoods. A qualitative method was employed, analyzing data drawn from interviews to gain insights into individual views, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the improvement of livelihoods in informal settlements. The study utilized a simple random sampling technique, ensuring that every individual in the population selected had an equal opportunity for inclusion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty community members in Cornubia, alongside discussions with three officials from eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Provincial Department of Human Settlements. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis, and the findings hold substantial benefits for the most disadvantaged citizens. Therefore, municipalities have an obligation to transform urban areas by reducing inequality, bolstered by national government policy, to achieve a resilient, safe, and accessible urban future. The evidence presented in this paper underscores that local governments, through municipalities, must prioritize de-densifying informal settlements in response to pandemics or hazards. It is vital to leverage community-driven initiatives and reinforce networks within these communities. The paper calls for the establishment of a socially centered government through the District Development Model (DDM), emphasizing socio-economic transformation as a pathway to enhance community quality of life
Archaeology · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Epistemology · Geography · Human settlement · Informal settlements · Latin American Urban Studies · Philosophy · Urban and Rural Development Challenges
Covid-19 and the informal economy in a small-town in South Africa
De/re-densification
Housing accessibility in densifying cities
Deconstructing density
Augmented informality
Managing the risk in housing delivery
Provision of Sustainable and Liveable Low Income Human Settlements in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - An Analysis of Policy Contradictions and Challenges
| Highly cited | No |
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