Sustainable Human Settlements Delivery in Ekurhuleni Workshop 21 September 2007

Why ‘Sustainable Human Settlements’ in RSA? Concern over ‘quality’ of settlements Edge locations with poor access Lack of physical and social infrastructure in these settlements State investment in housing & services is not leveraging further development of households and communities RDP houses sold for much less than state investment Communities remain locked-in to second economy Financial sustainability implications

How did SHS perspective evolve? s UNCHS: growing recognition that developing countries could not provide public housing adequately - ‘housing is more than houses’ Emphasis on investment in public environment (services and infrastructure) in support of efforts of residents to improve their lives In 1980s environmental component is added - idea of ‘sustainable development’ Public health and safety threats of many human settlements City-wide environmental concerns (ecological footprints, water shortages, waste)

How did SHS perspective evolve ? 2 Late 1990s stronger link of SHS to ‘pro-poor strategies’: –Scepticism about conventional economic development strategies providing benefits for the poor –Stressed reducing vulnerability of poor and support to survival strategies of the poor (assets, social capital, economic capital, physical capital, natural capital) Also in 1990s much greater stress on importance of progressive governance structures –Governance stresses mobilisation of government, communities and private sector towards creation of a ‘momentum towards improvement’ –Leads to rights-based approach, inclusionary housing

Where is EMM in relation to SHS? Policy Position set out in SHS Strategic Framework: Draws from Breaking New Ground Included in EMM IDP and GDS Housing 5-year Strategic Plan Performance: Very good rate of housing and sites delivery Accreditation ‘imminent’ Relatively focused Housing Department but….

Is Housing Department delivering SHS? Quantitative imperative prevails, so development processes not sufficiently enhancing residents life chances Failure to integrate housing and integrated development planning in practice Planning & budgeting is largely sectoral and not spatial – ‘settlements’ are missing Acknowledges that current institutional arrangements not ideal ‘…need to promote integrated plans for delivery, and focused sector budgets’

Most important factor is Balance Imperatives ‘from above’ Information ‘from below” SYNTHESIS directives, strategy, policy, budget participatory planning, local involvement Balance Space for new approaches Better informed decision making

Pressure points… houses, stands by 2014 New directives & instruments – ‘inclusionary housing’, ‘Restructuring Zones’ etc Emerging approaches – U4G Engagement with national & provincial spheres – help or hinder delivery? (flexible policy instruments, flows of funds) Who gets squeezed…? … the ‘Lead Department’, but is anyone following?

Minimum elements of SHS Core = Housing + Planning + Land + Environmental Management (?) But these functions are spread across all 3 clusters: –Strategic Services – IDP, GIS, City Development –Operations – Housing, Environment –Corporate Services - Land

Institutional Possibilities 1 Restructure to form a ‘super department’ or SHS cluster Programmatic approach – set up dedicated programme unit with deployed, dedicated officials holding dedicated powers Strengthened coordination and planning function at senior level (special committee or task group) – note: avoid ‘coordinating bodies’ at implementation level as much as possible. Rather have clearly defined implementation responsibilities, and clear lines of accountability

Institutional Possibilities 2 Province needs SHS proposals, and really hasn’t clear picture of what they are. So avoid ‘coordination delivery’ structures with Province – rather have capacity in city line functions, clear plans and assertive engagement to secure commitments into provincial planning and budgeting processes Participation is a problem – Ward Committees often dysfunctional, but may be energised at project planning and implementation stages. CDWs may be better channel for community animation.