Evaluating the social impact of in-situ upgrading housing development in creating sustainable human settlements: the case study of Inanda, eThekwini Municipality.

Abstract

This study seeks to evaluate the social impact of in-situ upgrading in creating sustainable human settlements. ―The overarching aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of in-situ upgrading as a tool to improve social cohesion in creating sustainable human settlements. This study will be conducted at Inanda White City area. The motivation of the study derives from one objective of the Breaking New Ground policy that speaks about combating crime, promoting social cohesion and improving the quality of life for the poor to ensure sustainable human settlements. The objectives of the study were to determine whether in-situ upgrading has an impact on social capital and social cohesion in the community of Inanda. To determine the role of in-situ upgrading in human capital to ensure sustainable human settlements, among others discussed below.The research methodology that was used is qualitative method. However, it was used to interpret community experiences and produce a better understanding of the social factors. The population size of the study was 372 housing units. Therefore, 37 households were interviewed during data collection which counts for 10% of the total population. The main purpose of the sampling was to draw conclusions about the whole population of White City. Purposive sampling was used to develop the sample of the research under discussion. The adopted theoretical frameworks were Social Capital theory and Theory of Citizen Participation coupled with concepts relevant to the study. The study evaluates then analyses the related international and South African contexts, as well as assessing some precedent studies in in-situ upgrading housing provision practices internationally and local for useful lessons. On the basis of findings, the study found that an effectively implemented program of in-situ upgrading housing development can result in positive social impact by strengthening the existing social ties and promotes social cohesion. Therefor the study recommends that, municipalities together with the ward counselors need to consider the importance of social cohesion amongst community members during the planning and implementation of the housing development project. The study opens a new prospect of thinking about future informal settlements upgrading programs that will respond to the growing issues of informal settlements in the urban areas and gives a path on how to ensure social cohesion in order to create sustainable human settlements.