Exploring the effects of land invasion on government in the upgrading of informal settlements in Cato Manor, Durban.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of land invasion on informal dwellers before and during the in-situ upgrading of the informal settlements in Cato Manor, in Durban. The mushrooming of informal settlements, and the increasing cases of land invasion in metropolitan cities can be attributed to the struggle over the use and control of the urban spaces, as well as a shortage of houses. Informal dwellers and land invaders occupy the urban space to reproduce themselves, even though they are excluded from the formal wage labour, and the formal housing markets. This move has seen individuals collectively acting to defend their access to the urban space, thus countering state-led dispossessions. These dispossessions are some of the crucial aspects of the increasing incidents of land invasion and informal settlements that sparked collective action by individuals to defend their access to the urban spaces from state-led dispossession. This study was guided by three theoretical frameworks – (i) the theory of Quiet Encroachment of the ordinary life, (ii) the Marxist theory, and (iii) the Structuralism theory. These theories pull together the various separate paradigms and perspectives into an integrated theoretical framework to guide the study. This study adopted social constructivism as a central research paradigm. How land invasion is perceived is largely dependent on local and social interpretations and perceptions. As a theory, social constructivism offers a counter-argument to a common perception that social problems arise as undesirable disorders that threaten social and cultural harmony. Social constructionism is based on the fundamentals of knowledge as a central influence in the construction of perceptions on an individual and their position and status in society. Thus, this study was empirical in nature, where the data were collected and analysed. However, it also integrated conceptual research – as the literature reviewed was referred to throughout the study. The study also employed thematic data analysis, which involves organising the data in relative themes and having it coded. The selected study area is occupied by informal settlers where land invasion appears to be common. The researcher had anticipated that informal settlements protests would hinder the collection of the data. The findings of this study suggest that land invaders perceive land invasions as a way of securing shelter and accessing land. However, government is strongly opposed to this. It was also evident that acts of land invasion are carried out largely by the people from the same settlement, owing to general population growth and settlements expansion. Thus, one would be justified to conclude that the effects of land invasion on informal settlements upgrading is a perspective of Governments, whereas beneficiaries of land invasions also note the effects of the Upgrading Projects as a stimulant. This study proposes three recommendations which are: Collaborative Response, Inclusive Housing Settlements, and Planning for Settlements Growth.