Lecture Notes: Urban Settlement Issues

Introduction

• Focus on urban settlement issues with emphasis on urbanization.
• Urban settlement issues are broken down into:
  • Urbanization
  • Informal settlements
  • Injustices
• Lesson focuses on recent urbanization patterns and urban issues.

Urbanization in South Africa

• Urbanization: Increase in percentage of people living in urban areas.
• Rapid urbanization trend from 61% (2008) to 66.3% (2018) in South Africa.
• Factors influencing urbanization:
  • Rural-urban migration
  • International migration (especially from African countries)
  • Population growth

Inner City Problems

• Urban Blight
  • Definition: A city or part of a city in a dilapidated state.
  • Causes: Low owner occupation ratio, poor maintenance, and neglect.
  • Strategies:
    • Urban renewal and gentrification
    • Encourage investments and development of green areas
• Traffic Congestion
  • Definition: When transport networks cannot cope with traffic volume.
  • Strategies:
    • Staggered work hours
    • Improved public transport and cycling lanes
    • Decentralization of offices and industries
• Lack of Planning
  • Definition: Ineffective city planning to meet people's needs.
  • Causes: Rapid urban migration and lack of laws.
  • Strategies:
    • Proper laws and planning
    • Decentralization
    • Green areas and employment opportunities
• Overcrowding
  • Definition: More people in a space than is safe or healthy.
  • Causes: Poor people moving to urban areas, shared living spaces.
  • Strategies:
    • Employment opportunities
    • Decentralization
    • Proper housing and services
• Housing Shortages
  • Definition: Insufficient housing for the population.
  • Causes: Growing urban population
  • Strategies:
    • Low-cost housing projects
    • Building flats to use land efficiently
    • Employment opportunities
• Service Provision
  • Definition: Ability to provide services to all people in an area.
  • Issues: Poor sanitation, limited water access, lack of infrastructure.
  • Strategies:
    • Proper planning and budgeting
    • Employment opportunities
    • Decentralization

Case Study: Woodstock Urban Renewal

• Focus on urban renewal in Woodstock, Cape Town.
• Residents resist urban renewal due to displacement.
• Concerns about losing community and increased costs.

Summary

• Urbanization leads to various urban settlement issues.
• Effective planning, decentralization, and provision of services are key to addressing these issues.
• Strategies should focus on sustainable urban development and improving quality of life for all urban residents.