Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (former Departments)

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Browsing Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (former Departments) by Subject "Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation"

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    Multi-purpose community centres : a local economic development strategy towards sustainable community empowerment and poverty alleviation in the Dwars River region
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-12) Bruiners, Natasja; Khan, Firoz; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Dept. of Town and Regional Planning.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, Multi-Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) have been identified as the primary approach for the implementation of development communication and information as they potentially offer a wide range of services that communities can utilise for their own empowerment. This affords the community an opportunity to become more self-reliant. The new Local Economic Development (LED) policy paper (2002) highlights the mobilisation of internal resources, capacities and skills consistent with the sustainable development objectives that government is now more aggressively pursuing. Community participation and empowerment play a significant role in any community, therefore, municipalities need to create the conditions for greater public participation and empowerment. It should be done with regards to the disadvantaged or marginalised groups in accordance with the conditions and capacities in a municipality. In the Dwars River region, various services are being planned ranging from skills development to tourism, but these depend on sufficient financial aid. The nature and location of the MPCCs in South Africa makes financial sustainability difficult because the majority of them largely serve historically disadvantaged communities with limited financial resources to pay for services. It is also important to note that economic growth does not necessarily imply poverty alleviation and/or skills development as components of the government's communication and information approach. MPCCs can transform communities but will be time consuming and requires participation from all spheres of government and civil society.
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    Die opgradering van informele nedersettings : Mangosuthu Village, Kwa-Zulu Natal as gevallestudie
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Van Rooyen, Morné; Pienaar, W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Sustainable Development Planning & Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Squatting is a form of informal settlement. These types of settlements can be found throughout South Africa and represent the attempts of the poor to provide themselves with housing. The conceptualisation of this phenomenon has undergone many changes during its history. There were times when these settlements were demolished and the inhabitants relocated to other areas. This type of approach was unsuccessful due to the extent of the problem and because the new housing that was being provided was unaffordable. A paradigm shift led to the fact that the upgrading of informal settlements is seen as an approach with a brighter future. During this process optimal use is made of the existing structures for example buildings, economic activities and social ties, within the community. The approach is adaptable to the needs and situations of individual communities. The sustainability of an upgrading project depends to a great extent on the enthusiasm and cooperation of the community that is going to benefit. Public participation can be a difficult process, especially in poor communities. This instrument can however yield great results in providing a product that is to the satisfaction of the community as a whole. During the course of this assignment the following conclusions were made from the material that was studied: • The success of upgrading programmes are highly depended on the enthusiasm of the communities that are going to benefit. • This enthusiasm is greatly increased by a process of community participation. • Upgrading must be seen as a multi-phase process. • Upgrading of informal settlements can play an important role in addressing the backlog that exists in affordable housing. • The need for an Informal Housing Act exists. From the case study the following conclusions were made: • The study presents many advantages, like providing the community with basic services and the right to property. • Further some disadvantages concerning intensification were identified. • These disadvantages can be addressed by providing smaller erven and street fronts as well as lower standards concerning residential uses.