An evaluation of the impact of the provincial housing policy in the Nxuba Municipality
- Authors: Dywili, Mhlobo Douglas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11636 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/510 , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Eastern Cape Department of Housing has a constitutional and legislative mandate to provide houses to the poor and disadvantaged citizens living within the province. Parliament must also, according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as amended, take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of citizens to have access to adequate housing (section 26 (1) and (2)). The commitment to improve the existing housing situation, namely the serious lack of adequate housing and basic services in urban townships and rural settlements, is thus in the first instance a policy matter and secondly a financial matter. However, despite the existing policy measures, such as the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 107 of 1997), the rendering of housing services resulted in uncompleted and defective houses due to inexperienced contractors providing poor workmanship and also corruption in the housing programmes. The rendering of housing services as a functional area has constitutionally been given to the national and provincial legislatures in South Africa. The Constitution allocated this function to the local sphere of government. Municipal authorities are the facilitators of sustainable housing services to (xiv) citizens on behalf of the national and provincial spheres of government. The study was thus conducted within the Nxuba local municipality which is one of eight local municipalities in the Amathole district municipality. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the provincial housing policy and to determine the impact of the existing policy on the housing needs of the citizens of the Nxuba local municipality. For this purpose the fundamental and overall study problem was found to be that the rendering of housing services at the Nxuba local municipality is hampered by the implementation of an inadequate provincial housing policy and by incompetent municipal personnel and that these actions do not satisfy the growing demand for sustainable and suitable housing. The hypothesis was furthermore based on the fact that the existing provincial housing policy is inadequate to satisfy human needs and impacts negatively if not harmfully on human well-being. The study revealed that besides the implementation of an inadequate housing policy by incompetent municipal personnel, there are economic, social, political, physical and environmental effects on the citizens. As far as the environmental is concerned, the staging of protest marches resulting in the burning of tyres, rubbish cardboards and road barricades had caused serious air pollution which might lead to the spread of diseases such as TB, cancer and bronchitis when people inhale the poisonous gas evolving from smoke such as carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide gases. Secondly, there is an economic impact on the citizens. Houses have been built away from town and people are compelled to commute between the town and their place of residence on a daily basis. With a continuous increase in the petrol price and its associated increase in transportation costs people pay large amounts to get to town. Furthermore the building of the RDP houses frequently comes to a standstill, builders, plumbers and carpenters lose their jobs. People’s income levels fall, impacting negatively on economic activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dywili, Mhlobo Douglas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11636 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/510 , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Eastern Cape Department of Housing has a constitutional and legislative mandate to provide houses to the poor and disadvantaged citizens living within the province. Parliament must also, according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as amended, take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of citizens to have access to adequate housing (section 26 (1) and (2)). The commitment to improve the existing housing situation, namely the serious lack of adequate housing and basic services in urban townships and rural settlements, is thus in the first instance a policy matter and secondly a financial matter. However, despite the existing policy measures, such as the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 107 of 1997), the rendering of housing services resulted in uncompleted and defective houses due to inexperienced contractors providing poor workmanship and also corruption in the housing programmes. The rendering of housing services as a functional area has constitutionally been given to the national and provincial legislatures in South Africa. The Constitution allocated this function to the local sphere of government. Municipal authorities are the facilitators of sustainable housing services to (xiv) citizens on behalf of the national and provincial spheres of government. The study was thus conducted within the Nxuba local municipality which is one of eight local municipalities in the Amathole district municipality. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the provincial housing policy and to determine the impact of the existing policy on the housing needs of the citizens of the Nxuba local municipality. For this purpose the fundamental and overall study problem was found to be that the rendering of housing services at the Nxuba local municipality is hampered by the implementation of an inadequate provincial housing policy and by incompetent municipal personnel and that these actions do not satisfy the growing demand for sustainable and suitable housing. The hypothesis was furthermore based on the fact that the existing provincial housing policy is inadequate to satisfy human needs and impacts negatively if not harmfully on human well-being. The study revealed that besides the implementation of an inadequate housing policy by incompetent municipal personnel, there are economic, social, political, physical and environmental effects on the citizens. As far as the environmental is concerned, the staging of protest marches resulting in the burning of tyres, rubbish cardboards and road barricades had caused serious air pollution which might lead to the spread of diseases such as TB, cancer and bronchitis when people inhale the poisonous gas evolving from smoke such as carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide gases. Secondly, there is an economic impact on the citizens. Houses have been built away from town and people are compelled to commute between the town and their place of residence on a daily basis. With a continuous increase in the petrol price and its associated increase in transportation costs people pay large amounts to get to town. Furthermore the building of the RDP houses frequently comes to a standstill, builders, plumbers and carpenters lose their jobs. People’s income levels fall, impacting negatively on economic activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An evaluation of the co-operative interaction between political office-bearers and chief officials in the provision of houses in the Eastern Cape: King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (2009-2010)
- Authors: Luyenge, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/567 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials in the rendering of housing services in the King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the performance are discussed which are classical theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the base for policy making and controlling role of municipal political office-bearers and chief officials in public administration was discussed. The nature of systems theory and the different phases of systems theory were explained. The nature and place of policy making in public administration was discussed as well as policy making alternatives in the public sector. The policy making levels i.e. political policy making level; executive policy making level; administrative/departmental policy making level; operational policy making level were explained and discussed. The co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearer and chief officials was discussed to understand the administrative and political dichotomy in the public sector. The policy implementation for the rendering of housing services as well as the programming and delegation of authority were discussed in the context of housing service delivery. The legislative framework for housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services as well as the housing situation in South Africa together with the obligations of both the provincial and municipalities were discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality. The scope of the study explains the range or extent of matter to be dealt with in the research and the survey area is dearly provided. The research design which is qualitative and quantitative research are discussed and used in adopting the study. The case study as research strategy is discussed and clarified. The data collection instruments which are interviews, questionnaires and the literature study the subject were briefly explained. Population details and sampling were clearly explained before a sample is provided in the study. The research provides data collection procedures as well as how the data will be analysed. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The criteria for data analysis as well the response rate were discussed. The demographics of chief officials and political office-bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the process phase were analysed and discussed. The co-operative interaction in policy formulation and the steps in the policy formulation were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the delegation of authority to chief officials by the political office-bearers as well as the role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the approval of executive policy. An evaluation of the rendering of - 11 - housing services at Phola park informal settlement as well as the evaluation of housing services as an output phase in policy formulation were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the analysis of the impact of existing legislation or policy on housing services was conducted. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Kind Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality to improve the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials to improve housing services and to provide better service delivery. KEYWORDS Administration Citizens Co-operative interaction Effectiveness Efficiency Executive functions Governing functions Municipal authority Municipal chief officials Municipal political office-bearers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Luyenge, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/567 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials in the rendering of housing services in the King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the performance are discussed which are classical theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the base for policy making and controlling role of municipal political office-bearers and chief officials in public administration was discussed. The nature of systems theory and the different phases of systems theory were explained. The nature and place of policy making in public administration was discussed as well as policy making alternatives in the public sector. The policy making levels i.e. political policy making level; executive policy making level; administrative/departmental policy making level; operational policy making level were explained and discussed. The co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearer and chief officials was discussed to understand the administrative and political dichotomy in the public sector. The policy implementation for the rendering of housing services as well as the programming and delegation of authority were discussed in the context of housing service delivery. The legislative framework for housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services as well as the housing situation in South Africa together with the obligations of both the provincial and municipalities were discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality. The scope of the study explains the range or extent of matter to be dealt with in the research and the survey area is dearly provided. The research design which is qualitative and quantitative research are discussed and used in adopting the study. The case study as research strategy is discussed and clarified. The data collection instruments which are interviews, questionnaires and the literature study the subject were briefly explained. Population details and sampling were clearly explained before a sample is provided in the study. The research provides data collection procedures as well as how the data will be analysed. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The criteria for data analysis as well the response rate were discussed. The demographics of chief officials and political office-bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the process phase were analysed and discussed. The co-operative interaction in policy formulation and the steps in the policy formulation were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the delegation of authority to chief officials by the political office-bearers as well as the role of political office-bearers and chief officials in the approval of executive policy. An evaluation of the rendering of - 11 - housing services at Phola park informal settlement as well as the evaluation of housing services as an output phase in policy formulation were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the analysis of the impact of existing legislation or policy on housing services was conducted. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Kind Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality to improve the co-operative interaction between municipal political office-bearers and chief officials to improve housing services and to provide better service delivery. KEYWORDS Administration Citizens Co-operative interaction Effectiveness Efficiency Executive functions Governing functions Municipal authority Municipal chief officials Municipal political office-bearers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An evaluation of the provision of houses in the Eastern Cape at Intsika Yethu local municipality: the case of Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality (for the period 2009-2011)
- Authors: Mbotoloshi, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001245 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the housing service rendering in the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality with special reference to the Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the housing services provision in the municipality. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the housing service are discussed which are institutional theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the nature and place of public administration was discussed. The policy process and the nature and place of policy making as well as steps in policymaking were discussed. The nature and place of policy implementation which includes all the functions was discussed in the study. The policy analysis and evaluation as the final step in the policy process including the stages in policy analysis and evaluation i.e. input phase; processing and conversion phase; output phase, impact/effect phase were discussed The legislative framework for rendering of housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service rendering in Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services was discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from Intsika Yethu local municipality on the 13 October 2009 from the Municipal Manager. The research design was explained together with research approaches and strategy as qualitative and quantitative. The research methodology with a clear population and sampling for the study as well as the data collection instruments and procedures as questionnaires; literature study and interviews were explained. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The theory and techniques for data analysis was discussed to link the theory and data analysis. The demographics of chief officials and political office bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The housing as essential services in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the data on the nature of housing services as output phase were analysed and discussed. The data on the structural problems were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the legislative framework for housing x services. The problems with the rendering of housing services especially administrative enabling problems as a processing phase in the policy process were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the possible solutions to the solving of housing problems were discussed and analysed. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Intsika Yethu Local Municipality to improve the housing service provisioning and ultimately to provide better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mbotoloshi, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001245 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the housing service rendering in the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality with special reference to the Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the housing services provision in the municipality. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the housing service are discussed which are institutional theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the nature and place of public administration was discussed. The policy process and the nature and place of policy making as well as steps in policymaking were discussed. The nature and place of policy implementation which includes all the functions was discussed in the study. The policy analysis and evaluation as the final step in the policy process including the stages in policy analysis and evaluation i.e. input phase; processing and conversion phase; output phase, impact/effect phase were discussed The legislative framework for rendering of housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service rendering in Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services was discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from Intsika Yethu local municipality on the 13 October 2009 from the Municipal Manager. The research design was explained together with research approaches and strategy as qualitative and quantitative. The research methodology with a clear population and sampling for the study as well as the data collection instruments and procedures as questionnaires; literature study and interviews were explained. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The theory and techniques for data analysis was discussed to link the theory and data analysis. The demographics of chief officials and political office bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The housing as essential services in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the data on the nature of housing services as output phase were analysed and discussed. The data on the structural problems were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the legislative framework for housing x services. The problems with the rendering of housing services especially administrative enabling problems as a processing phase in the policy process were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the possible solutions to the solving of housing problems were discussed and analysed. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Intsika Yethu Local Municipality to improve the housing service provisioning and ultimately to provide better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Life in the suburbs after "Grootboom": the role of local government in realising housing rights in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen Julia
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Right to housing , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003193 , Right to housing , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: When the Government of National Unity took office in 1994, it inherited a country with severe inequalities in resource distribution and land ownership. In particular, it inherited a housing crisis which was, to a large extent, caused by apartheid legislation and policies. This research focuses on the housing crisis post-1994 by considering the impact and effect of the constitutional right to have access to adequate housing, especially for those living in intolerable conditions. It does so by utilising a social-scientific approach to the law. This approach acknowledges that the housing right must exist alongside other social phenomena and as a part of everyday life in South Africa. Accordingly, the implementation of the housing right by three local municipalities in the Eastern Cape is examined. Following an initial overview of the history of housing and local government in South Africa, the study focuses on the current legislative framework for housing and theinterpretation of the housing right (and other socio-economic rights) in certain court decisions. These decisions are discussed, not only because of the impact they have had on communities living in intolerable situations, but, as importantly, because they have developed standards against which policy and planning should be measured. These standards are used in the study to evaluate housing provision in three municipalities. The evaluation (by means of interviews and assessment of planning documentation) demonstrates that the recognition of the housing right in the Constitution and by the courts does not necessarily translate into effective recognition and implementation by the state. The research shows that the failure to plan proactively, lack of co-operative governance and inadequate controls over financial and human resources thwart the realisation of the housing right by local government. It is recommended that, in order to make the housing right a reality, research into the housing right (and indeed other socio-economic rights) should scrutinise the management of financial and human resources of the state in the context of the policy, planning and implementation environment. Where research is able to show evidence of unspent budgets, insufficient planning and mismanagement of resources, courts would be able to focus on the implementation aspect of the housing right, and ensure that it may yet have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of some of the most vulnerable people in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen Julia
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Right to housing , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003193 , Right to housing , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: When the Government of National Unity took office in 1994, it inherited a country with severe inequalities in resource distribution and land ownership. In particular, it inherited a housing crisis which was, to a large extent, caused by apartheid legislation and policies. This research focuses on the housing crisis post-1994 by considering the impact and effect of the constitutional right to have access to adequate housing, especially for those living in intolerable conditions. It does so by utilising a social-scientific approach to the law. This approach acknowledges that the housing right must exist alongside other social phenomena and as a part of everyday life in South Africa. Accordingly, the implementation of the housing right by three local municipalities in the Eastern Cape is examined. Following an initial overview of the history of housing and local government in South Africa, the study focuses on the current legislative framework for housing and theinterpretation of the housing right (and other socio-economic rights) in certain court decisions. These decisions are discussed, not only because of the impact they have had on communities living in intolerable situations, but, as importantly, because they have developed standards against which policy and planning should be measured. These standards are used in the study to evaluate housing provision in three municipalities. The evaluation (by means of interviews and assessment of planning documentation) demonstrates that the recognition of the housing right in the Constitution and by the courts does not necessarily translate into effective recognition and implementation by the state. The research shows that the failure to plan proactively, lack of co-operative governance and inadequate controls over financial and human resources thwart the realisation of the housing right by local government. It is recommended that, in order to make the housing right a reality, research into the housing right (and indeed other socio-economic rights) should scrutinise the management of financial and human resources of the state in the context of the policy, planning and implementation environment. Where research is able to show evidence of unspent budgets, insufficient planning and mismanagement of resources, courts would be able to focus on the implementation aspect of the housing right, and ensure that it may yet have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of some of the most vulnerable people in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
A comparative analysis of the environmental impact of selected low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
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