In recognition of its efforts in providing decent shelter through provision of quality urban life the Gauteng government, Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP) has been awarded the United Nations Scroll of Honour award.
The Alexandra Renewal Project scooped the award at the World Habitat Day event held in Washington DC (USA). With the award, the United Nations Habitat aims to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life.
"We are delighted to have won the award. We see this as a vote of confidence on the policies that we have pursued as government," said Gauteng MEC for Human Settlement Kgaogelo Lekgoro.
He also added that the province has identified other Urban Renewal Projects following the notable success of the Alex Renewal Project.
"We have approved the development of the Tembisa and Winterveldt Urban Regeneration Projects in order to improve historical townships existing in our province," he said.
This, he said was in addition to the Priority Township Project being currently implemented around the identified townships of Gauteng.
According to Lekgoro the best practices and lessons learned in the ARP are being replicated in other projects across the province and countrywide. "We are working tirelessly to provide housing security and comfort for our people," said MEC Lekgoro.
The Alexandra Renewal Project was born in 2001 as an urban regeneration project that is aimed at reviving the social, economic and physical outlook of the urban township north of Johannesburg.
It was also aimed at building houses, fixing urban infrastructure and the Jukskei River, building parks, convert hostels into family units and change the urban landscape of the township. According to the department the successful implementation of the project has improved the living conditions and human development potential within Alexandra Township.
People who have previously lived on the flood lines have now access to descent and habitable shelter in the form of new housing development initiatives. Residents have found employment on the ARP – related construction sites while others have established small business in the area.
The projects key achievements lies in the innovation shown in improving the lives of existing residents, despite a range of technical, social and political difficulties they confront on a daily basis.
This award of Honour was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989 and is currently the most prestigious human settlements award in the world.
"Many commendable candidates were considered for this award. It was our unanimous opinion that the Alexandra Renewal Project should receive the award this year for its outstanding efforts in upgrading the housing, social and physical infrastructure of the Alexandra neighbourhood and improving the living conditions for its residents," said UN habitat.
Enquiries:
Fred Mokoko
Cell: 082 447 8407
Tel: 011 355 4013
E-mail: Fred.Mokoko@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Human Settlements, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 October 2009
