Urban renewal programme has turned many of our targeted townships into busy construction sites. This is happening in partnership with members of the communities who have entered into a "people's contract" with the government to improve the conditions in their own neighbourhoods.
In all three areas, Alexandra, Bekkersdal and Evaton, where the programme is implemented, a visible change and progress has been made. The department has prioritised housing and support infrastructure as well as putting more effort on attracting private investors.
In Alexandra currently there are 96 active projects of which work is happening with more focus on housing and infrastructure development and upgrade. In Bekkersdal our key focus is to relocate the township whilst at the same time we have rehabilitating the existing infrastructure. This project will provide formal housing for people who have been living in informal settlements, direct access to water, sanitation, electricity and adequate roads. It intends to create a climate conducive to social stability through better access to education, health, safety and security services and the protection of the environment.
In Evaton renewal project the priority areas of this project include: the development of infrastructure, such as the resurfacing of roads and building of pavements; the development of the local economy through job creation and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) projects, like grass-cutting and the setting up of vegetable gardens and agriculture projects and social upliftment through the upgrading of dilapidated houses, providing community halls and municipal offices with better facilities to service the community of Evaton.
The Urban Renewal Programme (URP) is part of a national urban renewal strategy announced by President Thabo Mbeki in his State of the Nation Address in February 2001. The URP, which focuses on areas of greatest deprivation, includes investment in economic and social infrastructure, human resource development, enterprise development, the enhancement of the development capacity of local government, poverty alleviation and the strengthening of the criminal justice system.
The URP's specific objectives are to:
* Promote local economic development to relieve poverty and unemployment
* Provide a safe and secure environment by fighting crime
* Support education, training and skills development
* Create a quality urban environment where people can live with dignity and pride
* Develop efficient, integrated and user-friendly transport systems
* Create job opportunities through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
1 June 2009
Source: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.housing.gpg.gov.za/)
