Informal Settlement Upgrading Matters

This report titled Informal Settlement Upgrading Matters: A Submission into the New Human Settlements Policy (PDF, 2.56 MB) aims to influence the human settlements policy and legislative framework by advocating for the recognition and integration of participatory and incremental informal settlement upgrading strategies as essential components for creating inclusive and sustainable human settlements in South Africa. The purpose of the submission is to contribute to the ongoing human settlements policy and legislative review conducted by the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) on behalf of the Minister of Human Settlements in South Africa.

The Cape Town NGO Collaborative Initiative that commissioned this report is a collective of urban sector organisations with expertise and experience in participatory and incremental informal settlement upgrading, as well as broader human settlements development in South Africa. The central theme of the submission revolves around the belief that informal settlement upgrading is crucial for developing inclusive, livable, and sustainable neighbourhoods. The collaborative initiative argues that participatory and incremental informal settlement upgrading should be recognised as a core strategy for ensuring access to housing, basic services, and social amenities for the urban poor. The ultimate goal is to advocate for the incorporation of these principles into the new White Paper on Human Settlements and related legislation, emphasising the importance of addressing urban poverty and inequality in South Africa through these means.

Abstract based on original source.