The State of Human Settlements

The "State of Human Settlements: South Africa 1994–1998" report, prepared by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for the Department of Housing, evaluates the impact of government policies on human settlements in the first five years of democracy. It examines progress in addressing apartheid-era spatial inequalities and assesses whether policies align with international goals like the UN Habitat Agenda, which promotes adequate shelter and sustainable development.
 

The report reviews the legacy of segregated settlements, the influence of social and economic forces such as urbanisation, poverty, and HIV/AIDS, and evaluates housing delivery, infrastructure, and urban planning reforms. It introduces a typology of settlement types and highlights both achievements like improved housing access and challenges, including continued peripheral development and governance issues. The report concludes with recommendations for more integrated, sustainable, and inclusive settlement planning.

Abstract based on original source.