Extensive consultations on the development of a long-term Human Settlements Master Plan are underway at the three districts in the Province. The consultation of municipalities is aimed at obtaining information on the state of human settlements delivery, backlog, and plans for consolidation to deliver improved human settlements in the Province.
The consultations forms part of the resolution of the recently held Human Settlements Indaba held on the 29 to 30 November 2011 at Nkangala Municipal Offices. The plan is envisaged to assist in the development of sustainable human settlements and the development of a multi-year master plan.
The department is responsible for promoting sustainable integrated and supporting municipalities to optimally delivery improved quality of household life. The Indaba held under the theme “From Housing to Human Settlements” was aimed at sharing ideas on how to deliver on the redefined mandate.
The broadened order requires the department to deliver not only houses, but engage all social partners to provide the required social amenities that qualifies a human settlement. In order to meet these objectives, the department has to take on board all municipalities, professional structures and institutions within the built environment.
The envisaged master-plan will have to assist the department not only to deliver houses, but involves other services such as schools, clinics, water, sanitation, roads and other infrastructure. The department is requesting all municipalities to provide information which include:
- Land Audit Report - to assist in checking availability of land which can be developed to replace informal settlements, develop rental stock and promote mixed –income grouping covering low and middle income earners and other challenges on land issue.
- Availability of Social Amenities - a critical element of an adequate shelter in access to basic services such as: community halls, child care centres and other
- Spatial Development Framework - promotion of local development, economic opportunities in the municipalities.
The objectives of these consultations are expected to give a sense of current human settlements delivery status for proper for Human Settlements development and in accelerating delivery of housing opportunities. The first phase of the engagements took place between 10 and 20 of January 2012 and the second round will be concluded sometimes in February 2012 at the Province’s three regions.
Enquiries:
Freddy Ngobe
Tel: 013 766 6014
Cell: 082 859 4630
