The effectiveness of community participation in housing development in a township within a metropolitan municipality in the Western Cape

Abstract

Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in housing development in Site B Khayelitsha. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. Communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit; and continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. The research investigated the Khayelitsha community concerned about the lack of community participation in housing development. The literature covered the legislative framework, philosophy, core principles and values as well as the levels and method of community participation. Mixed method approach was followed in the form of questionnaire survey, followed by the interview. Based on the findings, specific recommendations are made with a view to assist the municipality to improve the level of community participation in the Khayelitsha community.