SOL PLAATJIE MUNICIPALITY - SA Cities Plaatjie.pdfSol Plaatjie Municipality | Page 6 Matthew’s Church, as a witness at the subsequent inquiry, placed the blame squarely on the policy

SOL PLAATJIE MUNICIPALITY

Report prepared by Thomas Stewart

Sol Plaatjie Municipality | Page ii

Table of contents

Table of contents ................................................................................................................................ ii List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... iii List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ iv

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 5

2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE .......................................................................................... 7

2.1. Strategic Goals

3. MAIN SPATIAL TRANSFORMATION ISSUES ................................................................. 8

3.1. Alignment 8

3.2. The Blue Print Approach 8 3.3. Compliance 8 3.4. Capacity 8

4. ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER PLANS 4.1. National Spatial Development Perspective

4.2. National Development Plan 4.3. Integrated Urban Development Plan 4.4. Provincial Development Plan 4.5. District Development Plan

5. AN OVERVIEW OF THE SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

5.1 Assessment of the SDF 5.1.1. The Quality of the Planning Process 5.1.2. The Quality of the Plan 5.1.3.

5.3 5.4

6.AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SPATIOAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

6.1. The Quality of the Planning Process 6.2. The Quality of the Plan 6.3. Degree of implementation 7. SPATIAL TRANSFORMATION BEYOND SPATIAL PLANNING AND SDF'S 8. CONCLUSIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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List of Figures

Figure 1: ........................................................................................ Municipal Boundries of Sol Plaatje Figure 2: ...................................................................................................................... Kimberley CBD Figure 3: ............................................................................................................ Municipal owned land

List of Tables

Table 1: ............................................................................. Demographics of Sol Plaatje Municipality

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List of Acronyms

SPLM - Sol Plaatje Local Municipality IUDP - Integrated Urban Development Plan SPLUMA - Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act IDP - Integrated Development Plan MFS Municipal Finance Act NDP - National Development Plan SDF - Spatial Development Framework

1. INTRODUCTION This paper forms part of a series of papers commissioned by the South African Cities Network (SACN), namely the “Urban Land Paper Series Vol. 2: A Transit Oriented Development land 140,000 and forms part of the inclusive cities theme, exploring critical interventions required in the urban environment for South African cities to be effective drivers of local and national development.

• To forge new spatial forms in settlement, transport, social and economic areas. (Spatial integration)

• To ensure people have access to social and economic services, opportunities and choices. (Inclusion and access)

• To harness urban dynamism for inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development. (Growth)

• To enhance the capacity of the state and its citizens to work together to achieve spatial and social integration. (Governance)

These strategic goals inform the following nine policy levers: 1. Integrated urban planning. 2. Integrated urban development. 3. Targeted investments. 4. Integrated infrastructure 5. Efficient land governance. 6. Economic diversification. 7. Empowered communities. 8. Governance. 9. Financial reform

1.1 Setting the Scene Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (SPLM) is located in the Frances Board District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province. As the second largest municipality in the district it covers 316 036 hectares and houses 20% of the population of the province. Kimberley is the main urban node in the SPLM; forms the administrative center of the municipality and Northern Cape Province. It is also the political, educational and cultural capital of the Province. Sol Plaatje is one of South Africa’s 21 secondary cities. With a population of just over 236,000 people, it has many pleasant neighborhoods, a school system that performs above national norms and a relatively compact layout that locates former township areas close to the city centre. The municipality is served by 65 elected councilors.

1.2 Historical Overview The city of Kimberley had a humble start following the discovery of diamonds in 1866 in the district and the subsequent establishment of a town in 1871, on a hillock labelled Colesburg Kopje on the farm Vooruitzicht, resulting in mine diggings and the beginning of an urban formation making it the site of the first major mineral discoveries in South Africa. It developed more rapidly than any of its counterpart cities in Southern Africa, to the extent that it was the first city in Africa; the Southern Hemisphere; and the second in the world after Philadelphia, to integrate electric street lights into its infrastructure, on 2 September 1882. It was also the first ‘city’ in South Africa where the later infamous ‘compounds’ as means of accommodating mine workers, were built. Parallel to these happenings the township now known as Galeshewe (named after the baTlhaping chief, Kgosi Galeshewe) was established to house the African population who worked on the mines, while the so called Coloured community who largely comprised of people with a Malaysian origin settled in the city centre in an area to become known as the Malay Camp, from where they were forcefully removed to Greenpoint. On 8 November 1952, during a Defiance Campaign and the Mayibuye Uprising, several leaders from the townships were arrested and some people were shot and killed. Archdeacon Wade of St

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Matthew’s Church, as a witness at the subsequent inquiry, placed the blame squarely on the policy of apartheid – including poor housing, lighting and public transport, together with "unfulfilled promises" – which he said "brought about the conditions which led to the riots. All areas that housed people other than those of European origin continued to be provided with services inferior to the rest of the city. Even the governance of these separated areas were ‘separated’ and placed under the auspices of Central or Provincial government structures. (IDP: 2017) The erstwhile European Boroughs of Kimberley and Beaconsfield amalgamated in 1912, as the City of Kimberley, while Galeshewe remained a separate township in terms of Apartheid policies until after 1994. From the rapid initial boom it went through various phases of development and urbanization and changed from a mining town to a service center and provincial capital. De Beers Company, the leading diamond company in the world, and the first Stock Exchange in Africa (1881) both have their origins in Kimberley. The city has further considerable historical significance due to the siege during the Second- Anglo- Boer War. San rock art, still intact from early history, adds to the rich history of the area. The city was expanded with the addition of the settlement of Platfontein when the !Xun and Khwe community, formerly of Schmidtsdrift and originally from Angola/Namibia were settled on the land in 1996. In the post-apartheid era the Kimberley City Council was named after the writer and activist, Sol Plaatje WHO lived in Kimberley for most of his life. The expanded Sol Plaatje Local Municipality included surrounding towns and villages, of which Ritchie is the most notable. Similarly the erstwhile Diamantveld District Council became the Frances Baard District Municipality, with reference to the trade unionist, Frances Baard, who was born in Greenpoint, Kimberley. The boundaries of the municipality are shown in the map below.

Figure 1: Sol Plaatje Municipal Area (Courtesy: Draft SDF 2016)


Sol Plaatje University The establishment of the Sol Plaatje University has injected life back into the Kimberly CBD, which will stimulate regeneration in the avenues of residential and commercial developments. These developments will occur as a result of support structures that will be needed by the University. The University is centrally located in the CBD with a strong element of visibility. The university has adopted an approach to promoting cycling, students are provided with bicycles. The administrative and academic component of the University will have an outreach around the civic open space of the city, with maximum accessibility to the city and surrounds. The Sol Plaatje University has the ability to establish as an iconic advantage, and assist the municipality to gain a competitive and comparative advantage. Together with this, civic life and social cohesion has been given a much needed boost. The Sol Plaatje University is viewed as a node in itself, and has further strengthened the importance of Sol Plaatje Municipality on a national level.

1.3 Key Potential Lessons .

• Private land ownership associated with developmental constraints can be a serious impediment to urban transformation; social justice; and spatial planning. In this regard some of the best located portions of land are owned by mining companies who are either reluctant to sell; rehabilitate; or develop the same. The municipality only owns some 3% of the available vacant land. Although the SDF gives an indication thereof a land audit with a focus on infill; inclusionary; and mixed use opportunities should add substantial value. The extent and urgency of the needs of informal settlements seem to over shadow smaller but significant opportunities and initiatives that could enhance spatial transformation.

• Municipal infrastructure; administrative; and financial capacity are paramount in transforming the city. In this regard the bulk infrastructure became such an impediment that all focus was on installing it while placing a moratorium on new developments in a time that rapid urbanization was continuing unabatedly. The importance of bulk infrastructure should hence not be under estimated.

• Administrative “silos” hamper the development and transformation of a city; this applies to within the municipality but also across all three tiers of government. Only in the latest IDP has attention been given to the integration of various plans and strategies but the participation and co-operation in the compilation of the SDF still seems to be ‘piece meal’.

• The racial balance of Kimberley seems to enhance collaboration and tolerance. There does not seem to be a political and racial dominance to the same extent as in many other cities.

• Municipal planning initiatives need to be more conducive and pre-emptive to private and public investment and development initiatives to avoid there being a disjuncture between municipal goals and actual investments and development. The perception that the municipality can direct development is ambitious and can only realize if the government departments and private developers are engaged in the early stages of revising the IDP and SDF. Currently, as is the case with most municipalities, stakeholders are consulted more as a matter of legal and administrative compliance, rather than in an effort to forge collaboration. This is evidenced by ‘consultation’ taking place once a final or pre-final draft of the said plans / documents have been drafted. Despite the so called ‘consultations’, market forces and government budgets determine when and where developments take place, as is the case with the new Provincial Psychiatric Hospital.

2. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

2.1 Overview of demographic characteristics and trends The total population of the municipality increased from 205 103 in 1996 to 255 351 in 2016 (Statistics SA, 2016). This represents an annual population growth rate of 1% per annum over the said period. The number of households increased from 45 321 to 72 012 over the same period, representing an


average annual household growth rate of 8% for this period. The household size has hence decreased from 4.53 to 3.55 people per household. Due to the size of the municipality the average density is very low with there being only 0.81 people per ha and 4.39 households per ha. The size of the built up area alone is not available but would substantially change these figures.

SOL PLAATJIE POPULATION

Indicator 1996 2001 2011 2016

Total number of people 205 103 202 246 248 041 255 351

Total number of people urban n.a n.a 245 194 250 676

Total number of people rural n.a n.a 2 846 4 675

Rural (traditional) n.a n.a

Rural (commercial farms) n.a n.a 2 846 4 675

Total number of households 45 321 50 529 60 297 72 012

Average annual growth rate of population: since previous period

n.a -0.3 2.1 0.6

Average annual growth rate of households: since previous period

n.a 2.2 1.8 3.6

Density

Total area of the municipality(ha) 316 036

Total area of built up area (urban area)

Persons per ha 0 0 0 0.81

Persons per m2 for built up area 0 0 0 0

Households per ha 0 0 0 4.39

Households per m2 for built area 0 0 0 0

SOL PLAATJIE: ECONOMY

Total population 205 103 202 246 248 041 255 351

Total number of people employed 52 017 46 806 63 049 n.a

Employed people as a percentage of total population 25.4 23.1 25.4 n.a

Unemployment rate n.a 41.3 31.6 n.a.

Youth unemployment rate n.a 51.5 41.7 n.a

Average household income n.a

53 859

117 940 n.a

Annual growth in household Income (2001-2011) n.a n.a 8.2 n.a

Average annual CPI (2001-2011) n.a n.a 5.9 n.a

Dependency ration n.a 51.9 51

Table 1

The percentage of people employed remained stable at around 25.4% while the unemployment rate reduced from 41.3 to 31.6 from 2001 to 2011. The youth unemployment is however alarmingly high at above 40%.


Figure 2: The Kimberley CBD (Courtesy: Draft SDF 2016)

2.2 Household Services In the period 2001 to 2011 the number of households with piped water increased by 10% from 51.2% to 61.9%. The number of households using electricity, for lighting, improved by 2% from 82.4% to 84.9%. Unfortunately, the number of households with flush toilets declined by 1% from 83.4% to 82.8%. This can be attributed to the existing infrastructure not having sufficient capacity to accommodate the growth in households and there being a moratorium on all new developments, resulting in an increase in informal settlements which were also not properly planned or serviced. The removal of waste hence also proved difficult, resulting in a decline of 6% from 90.8% to 84.3%.

3. MAIN SPATIAL TRANSFORMATION ISSUES Spatial Transformation remains an evasive concept, defined and interpreted in different ways. The holistic redress of Apartheid spatial and social legacies does however recur as a common theme. From the interviews and research a number of identifiable issues were identified and are discussed below.

3.1 Alignment While the intention of the IDP’s is to be “integrated plans” the SDF’s of municipalities are to give a land use/spatial framework to such IDP’s, which are in turn aligned to the IUDP’s and NDP. This principle was echoed by all interviewees, however, the focus of municipal functionaries on their own


line management responsibilities, result in typical operational “silos” that get carried through to higher and subsequent levels of planning and implementation. The IUDP was viewed as ‘relevant’ but a ‘plan more relevant to metro’s’, despite Sol Plaatje being targeted as a pilot project for the implementation of the IUDP. In accordance with the functional focus, the SDF planning process is regarded as primarily a town planning function, resulting in ad hoc engagements by other municipal departments in the preparation thereof.

3.2 The Blue Print Approach Todes, et.al argues in Habitat International 34 (2010: 414-420) that “master planning” has since the 1970’s been continued as rigid and static as a long term planning approach. The SDF’s, in the order of their hierarchy and urban structural nature has departed from being blue prints but is only slowly progressing towards being a guideline for planning and implementation. The rapid urbanization experienced by many urban and semi-urban areas call for “rapid” response mechanisms which are not offered by the SDF. The notion of socio-economic change and development adhered to in the visionary aspects of all the plans mentioned can easily become a motivation in physical planning. This is reflected and supported by comments with regard to informal settlements and services constraints.

3.3 Compliance As a legacy of “top-down” and master planning approached there seems to be justification and satisfaction associated with “having” plans and “having” those plans approved, confirmed by quoting legislation and policies to be “complied” to. When “compliance” becomes the operational term the action inherent to plans and providing energy to the implementation thereof is diluted to the regular revision and “updating” of such plans. Not surprising then that an outgoing “catch up” game is played rather than “following-the-leader”. Transformation in essence calls for an active and pro-active framework more-so than for a regulatory and compliance agenda.

3.4 Capacity Capacity can in amongst others, be interpreted as human and riscal resources; the latter is dealt with in a separate section. The terms of human resources municipalities have both officials and politicians who are responsible and accountable for the compilation and implementation of plans. With limited human capital capacity in both instances, many municipalities, as is the case with Sol Plaatje revert to the outsourcing of work that is of a technical and professional nature. The 2008-2012 SDF and the current draft SDF were both outsourced to external private sector urban and regional planners to compile. The benefits being then an independent contribution is possible, however in the client-consultant relationship the client still has to be sufficiently capacitated; educated; and experienced to brief; guide; and challenge the resulting plans and proposals. There seems to be a constant capacity challenge at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, with several key vacancies in the positions of engineers; urban planners; human settlements; and finance. Further to these, the political capacity may be experienced and will supported but lack the knowledge to ultimately take the lead in the implementation of initiatives; plans; and projects.

3.5 Spatial Legacy The Sol Plaatje Municipality has two major spatial legacies to deal with: 1. having started as a diamond mining town, individual mining stakes and informal street patterns dictates the initial spatial


configuration of the town. 2. Subsequently colonial sentiments and apartheid legislation further fragmented the city structure. These two legacies, in conjunction with large portions of privately owned land; mining activities; and former mining activities, all contribute to an unusual spatial history and layout. The fragmentation of the city is particularly notable in the case of Roodepan which is the traditional Coloured Township to the north of the CBD as depicted in Fig.3 below.

Large parcels of land are occupied by diamond mining activities, mainly in the central and eastern areas of Kimberley. No change of land use can be expected on these parcels of land within the next 10 years. The presence of the big hole, which is the largest open mine in the world, not made with mechanical means, is evidence of the space taken up by past mining. The map below shows the location and extent of the mining areas.

Figure 4: Municipal Properties Demarcated (Courtesy: Draft SDF 2016)

3.6 Bulk Infrastructure As with most municipalities the availability and capacity of the bulk infrastructure process a serious concern to future development. Responses to date have been on an ad hoc and crisis management basis. A moratorium on new developments due to a lack of bulk services has only recently been lifted, causing a period of no or very little investment in the city. The absence of a services masterplan renders all other plans and development initiatives somewhat secondary.

3.7 Funding


A very real and practical issue that was raised results from budgetary and project cycles not coinciding, causing ongoing fiscal tensions. Besides this apparent disjuncture the municipality does not have a sufficiently strong capital budget to attend to the planned and required municipal and professional services. It was pointed out however that there are numerous sources of funding available to the Sol Plaatje Municipality which is not fully utilized, partially due to ignorance and partially due to not having the administrative capacity to appropriately apply for it.

4. ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER PLANS In section 1.6. Of the Draft SDF an overview is provided of relevant policies and legislation that was considered and informed the drafting of the SDF, the list includes the following:

Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013. Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. Municipal Financial Management Act, 2003. NCPGDS - (Review) National Spatial Development Framework Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations 2001 National Development Plan- 2030.

Furthermore the terms of reference for the SDF require it to be in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act 2000; the municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations 2001; and the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 2013; and must cover the following:

Development of a Spatial Vision Development of a conceptual scenario for envisaged spatial form; Development of a Micro-spatial plan for the core areas; Setting out of objectives that reflects the desired spatial form of the municipality.

The SDF preparation also had to be guided by amongst others, the following pieces of Legislation, Programmes and Policies at a National and Provincial Level:

South African Constitution and Principles of Sustainable Development The Municipal System Act (MSA 32 of 2000) Municipal Planning and Performance Regulations (GN R796 of 2001) Environmental Conservation Act (ECA) Municipal Financial Management Act, 2003 NCPGDS (Review) National Spatial Development Framework National Development Plan 2030 The National Environment Management Act (NEMA) Social Housing Act (SHA) Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP 2006) Breaking new Ground (BNG 2004) Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP 2009) White Paper on Spatial Planning and Land Use Management (2001)

The 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ending poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and tackling climate change by 2030, inclusive of Goal eleven which states that cities are to be “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” and the African Union Agenda 2063, which recognises that: “Cities and other settlements are hubs of cultural and economic activities, with modernized infrastructure, and people have access to affordable and decent housing including housing finance together with all the basic necessities of life such as, water, sanitation, energy, public transport and


ICT” are both acknowledged as ‘higher level’ guiding policy statements in the IDP and by implication the SDF. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) challenges all, “to rethink the urban to face the future challenges” and to in amongst others, “grapple with this task and deal intelligently with social exclusion, environmental threats, economic inefficiencies, logistical bottlenecks, urban insecurity, decaying infrastructure and the impacts of new technologies.” It furthermore recognises that, “while the fundamental reshaping of the colonial and apartheid geography may take decades, by 2030 South Africa should observe meaningful and measurable progress in reviving rural areas and in creating more functionally integrated, balanced and vibrant urban settlements.” The SDF adheres to this notion of the NDP and probably by default rather than by design has identified the Richie rural area as an agricultural precinct which supports the rural revitalization envisaged in the NDP.

Figure 3: Fragmented City (Courtesy: Draft SDF 2016)

5. National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP) As implication of the NSDP the SDF mentions on p.6 that ’spatial restructuring’ needs to be addressed.

5.1 National Development Plan (NDP)

The SDF being a spatial expression of the IDP does not specifically aim to be aligned with the NDP, however, the IDP is contextualized in the development principles of the NDP, in particular the ‘prescripts on future human settlements’. The SDF does explicitly state that it should “consider and propose future development which includes the need for housing, proper social facilities and proper


infrastructure where it is highly required”. Although this echo’s sentiments of social and spatial justice it shies away from explicitly mentioning spatial transformation. Future growth is interpreted as an imperative to avail ‘adequate space’. This, in turn, seems to reflect an ‘expansion’ focus (read ‘sprawl’), rather than an infill or restructuring emphasis which would enhance spatial transformation (p.7). Chapter 8 of the NDP speaks specifically to transformation of human settlements; living disparities and the challenges posed by apartheid planning, however, the draft SDF seems to be silent on this aspect in the context of the NDP/SDF context.

5.2. The New Growth Path (NGP)

The focus of the NGP is economic growth and the creation of employment. In the SDF the implication of this policy is indicated as compelling the SDF to ‘create and delineate potential areas for development, which attract people to work in the Sol Plaatje municipal area. Spatial transformation is not mentioned as an aim to pursue.

5.3 Breaking New Ground Policy (BNG)

This policy, which is essentially a human settlements policy, is very explicit in promoting the achievement of a ‘non-racial, integrated society’. The aspects of this policy considered in the SDF, relate to: “The identification of potential areas for housing development projects”, suggesting that it would “promote and create” sustainable human settlement areas. It is further stated that it should aim to provide for “different typologies in different settlement areas”. This is hardly a planning function and unlikely to achieve by means of the SDF. Mention is however made in the SDF of integrating the “built form according to the area type and development principles”, which sounds like a disguised way of suggesting the perpetuation of the current inequities of the built environment. The SDF does expand on this by stating, in amongst others, that it “implies accessing well located land for housing projects, inclusive of land for social (medium density) housing and the provision of supporting infrastructure. The social housing mentioned in this context is assumed to be government subsidized social rental housing, which is, according to the current human settlements policy, only financed by government if located within a so called demarcated ‘urban restructuring zone’. To this end the SDF is more specific in that it refers to: “Appropriately located land, close to employment opportunities; the upgrading or eradication of slum areas; and the achievement of spatial, economic, and social integration.

5.4 Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP)

The IUDP was not considered in the drafting of the SDF, partially due to the timing, i.e. the IUDF had not been drafted at the time of the SDF process commencing and secondly the IUDF is regarded to be more applicable to areas more urban in nature than what Sol Plaatje is perceived to be. The policy levers of the IUDF are however partially implied and unintentionally used as a reference in the SDF Subsequently the S.P.M. has been identified as a pilot area for the implementation of the IUDF.

The Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) adopted by Cabinet in April 2016, marks a New Deal for South African cities and towns, by steering urban growth towards a sustainable growth model of compact, connected and coordinated cities and towns with an overall spatial outcome. The IUDF in turn builds on the National Development Perspective of spatial transformation while advocating that the elements of urban structure, namely land, jobs, housing and transport should be used to promote urban restructuring. The four principles set out in the NDP: spatial justice, spatial sustainability, spatial quality, spatial efficiency, and spatial resilience are followed in the IUDF. To achieve this transformative vision, the IUDF introduces four overall strategic goals:


• Spatial integration: To forge new spatial forms in settlement, transport, social and economic areas. • Inclusion and access: To ensure people have access to social and economic services, opportunities and choices. • Inclusive Growth: To harness urban dynamism for inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development. • Governance: To enhance the capacity of the state and its citizens to work together to achieve spatial and social integration.

The end goal of the IUDF is to strengthen rural-urban linkages, promote urban resilience, create safe urban spaces and ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable groups are addressed.

5.5. Provincial Development Plan (PDP)

The Province of the Northern Cape has only recently started with a process to draft a provincial SDF. Provincial strengths which have been identified include, in amongst others, renewable energy projects; agriculture and agro-processing; mining ‘beneficiation’ and ‘value add’.

5.6. District Development Plan

Sol Plaatje is the biggest; most influential and dominant municipality within the Frances Baard District Municipality. The key elements of the district municipality which impact the SPM and its SDF are the two national roads being the N12 (which goes to Cape Town via the N1 to the south and Gauteng to the north) and the N8 which goes to Upington in the west and Bloemfontein to the east) The district plans emphasize the so called river corridors, i.e. the Modder and Riet Rivers to the south and Vaal and Leeu Rivers to the north, where bigger concentrations of activities occur. These are incorporated in the municipal SDF.

6. OVERVIEW OF SDF

The first SDF dated for the period 2008 – 2012 was approved on 25 May 2009. A new SDF was

drafted, dated September 2016 and has been approved (May 2017) by the city council for public

participation. The revised SDF has been drafted in terms of SPLUMA.

6.1 Assessment of the SDF

The Municipal Systems Act spells out the core components of the IDP of which the SDF is one. Spatial development is captured and prioritized in the IDP by means of the SDF. A new IDP for the current local government term has been approved and the SDF which is in a draft format is being aligned to the objectives and priorities of the IDP resulting in it progressing towards becoming a core part of the IDP. The SDF has as objective to be implementable and aligned to the IDP, in contrast to the previous versions. The IDP has as goals, in amongst others, the following as characteristics of what is envisaged:

Clean city

City that attracts investment, manufacturers and tourists

City with good infrastructure

Safe and secure City - A city that cares


City where there is security- jobs, shelter

City that facilitates the creation of jobs

City that houses people

City with youth involved productively

City that harnesses integrated development

City that facilitates skills development

City that invests in public participation, is connected with the people

City that works together

City with good IGR harnessed to build integrated human settlements (p.6)

There seems to be a notion that the IDP and SDF processes happened in parallel rather than in an interdependent manner. The IDP manager and the Town planners responsible for the SDF are in different departments despite the latter being a ‘core component’ of the IDP as per the Municipal Systems Act (MSA). The SDF is perceived as a town planning function while the IDP is the responsibility of the IDP manager.

The sentiments of a desired “blue-print” were shared by the city engineer, while the lack of clear objectives in the IDP seemed to some respondents as a shortcoming. In the IDP a transformed spatial structure reversing “inefficient land use patterns”(p.7) is indeed envisaged, as the sustainable basis for the provision of municipal services, it however simultaneously mentions that “universal access to basic services”, and “differentiated service requirements of households and human settlements” will be supported (p.6). This approach seems to accommodate differentiated needs but also provides an escape from a concerted commitment.

The councilor interviewed is of the opinion that the IDP reflects community demands and needs e.g.

infrastructure and housing; hence this is reflected in the SDF.

Motswedimosa and Diamond Park will be developed. The houses to be delivered in this way will be subsidy houses which exacerbates the problem of low economic development generation in these areas. Along with this, there is no tight integration between the municipal departments and provincial programmes resulting in the uncoordinated delivery of each element of development, hampering delivery at scale. The map below is a good example of how the municipality has adapted their strategy of housing development. In this respect, they have not sourced greenfield sites as areas for housing development, but rather surveyed current informal settlements and have considered these as areas for future development, implying planning by default or retrospectively.Urban sprawl and gentrification are major problems in most South African cities, Sol Paatje included. Development of large townships on the peripheries of cities with little or no infrastructure use to be a common practice. While forward, long term and strategic planning has not necessarily improved, it has become the accommodation of land invasions and ‘planning’ by the occupants. The National Development Plan’s prescripts on future human settlements include: (I) Containing and possibly reversing urban sprawl, (ii) Creating sustainable human settlements, (iii) Focusing new urban development (in particular affordable housing) around public transport corridors and economic nodes, (iv)Creating economic hubs within historically black townships that have sufficient market size, integrate townships into wider economic functioning localities, upgrade informal settlements where appropriate, (vii) Giving more attention to the design and quality of urban public space, and


(viii) Ensuring that state funding does not support the further provision of non-strategic housing investments in poorly located areas. These strategic goals inform the priority objectives of the nine policy levers, which are premised on the understanding that integrated urban planning forms the basis for achieving integrated urban development, which follows a specific sequence of urban policy actions: integrated transport that informs targeted investments into integrated human settlements, underpinned by integrated infrastructure network systems and efficient land governance, which all together can trigger economic diversification and inclusion, and empowered communities. This demands effective governance and financial reform to enable and sustain these policy actions. The IUDF emphasises the importance of strategic spatial planning; integrated urban planning; and effective land use management as key levers for spatial transformation. It recognizes that at the core of effective urban planning is strategic spatial planning, which promotes spatial justice, spatial quality, spatial efficiency, spatial sustainability and spatial resilience.

6.1.1. The Quality of the Planning Process

The draft SDF was developed by outsourced consultants in conjunction with “in house” officials. The in house capacity to compile the SDF simply does not exist. The outsourcing has the advantage of independent service providers adding value while the “in house” clients were able to influence the process by having inside information, this does not however guarantee that the plan generated is of a better quality.

Co-ordination of development is required but hardly ever happens e.g. new developments are

dictated by land invasions; developer preferences (market forces); and land ownership resulting in a

disjuncture between new developments and municipal plans. In instances where they are aligned it

seems more coincidental than by design. The same phenomena applies to informal settlements,

resulting from land invasions, which ultimately dictates where infrastructure is installed an upgrading

happens. Despite planning at a larger scale, detailed planning and township establishment continues

to happen retrospectively in areas not necessarily planned in this regard.

6.1.2. The Quality of the Plan

The Draft SDF is of a high professional quality and standard and gives comprehensive coverage to

most if not all the SPLUMA requirements. Being the responsibility of the municipal town planners does

however give them a stronger sense of ownership and the officials in other departments within the

municipality.

6.1.3. The Degree of Implementation

The SDF gets implemented by municipal officials, through the municipalities’ land use management scheme. As a result of the outsourcing of the planning of the SDF, it gets implemented by officials who did not in fact draft it, compromising the ability to recall the intentions, if not clearly spelled out, such as no clear targets in terms of transformation.

The SDF remains difficult to implement as funding for capacitating staff or employing capacitated staff

and projects are limited. Not enough is being done to revise and review the SDF on a regular and

dynamic basis, resulting in it being reduced to a compliance issue rather than a guideline.

Implementing the plan is further constrained by the availability of bulk services and the SPM’s ability

to implement human settlement projects, the latter being a municipal function and SPM not being

adequately accredited.


Spatial transformation is specifically mentioned in the IDP in the context of transforming ‘the spatial

structure’ of the City towards an equitable, inclusive, efficient and compact form consisting of a series

of integrated and well connected economic corridors, nodes and attractive mixed-use/mixed-income

sustainable areas, however, informal settlements north and south of Kimberly and pockets of informal

settlements in Roodepan and Richie areas dominate the actions taken. Some of these informal

settlements are already receiving attention in terms of current human settlement projects which are at

various stages of development. The provincial programme to eradicate the housing backlogs has

various stages running in parallel to each other, which includes land preparation, services installation

and finally the construction of houses

The estimated housing backlog for Sol Plaatje is +/- 11803 houses. The township approvals passed

by the municipality for new houses can accommodate 12 607 units. Due to budget constraints the

delivery of approximately 5000 new house will be possible within the medium term budget framework.

In this process parts of Lerato Park, Snake Park, Jacksonville, Freedom Park will be developed. To

this end bbudgetary provision and prioritization of key infrastructural and capital expenditures has

been made and approved.

Various areas of the city can be physically connected in order for citizens to experience freedom of movement and interact with one another. This implies that the municipality would need to work on an effective public transportation system. The successes of and access to social, economic, financial and environmental interventions will determine the value of such intervention. Given the spatial characteristics of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, a Compact City Model is probably the most contextual and sustainable settlement form, however it may not be easy to convince people in an otherwise rural setting that in amongst others, higher density living and limited urban agricultural activities are desirable.

7. SPATIAL TRANSFORMATION: BEYOND PLANNING AND SDF’S

Spatial transformation happens within the Sol Plaatje municipality, despite their being no set targets in any of the policies or plans, inclusive of the Draft SDF. It is particularly evident in the residential areas of the suburbs where both ‘downward raiding’ and ‘upward mobility’ has resulted in greater spatial equity and transformation. This is evident in the middle to upper class suburbs as well as in the lower middle income areas. The Hull Street Social Rental Housing project is hailed as an example of successful social integration, enhancing the spatial transformation of the city. Lerato Park is also mentioned as a spatial transformation initiative, however being a Presidential Catalytic project it is again being determined by the investment drive from the Department of Human Settlements and where land was available and owned by the municipality rather than the SDF and transformation imperatives.

8. GENERAL CONCLUSION

The SDF and associated processes are seen as a town planning function by the municipal officials and councilors and is executed by making use of existing information; reports and documents with little consultation between the respective departments. With municipal objectives not very explicit in the IDP it is difficult to compile the SDF. Kimberley as the anchor and biggest town of the municipality is still suffering the contraction of mining activities and the consequential impact and void left. It has resulted in it becoming primarily a tertiary service center which is supported by being the provincial capital. Spatial transformation has happened in two ways: Areas previously neglected have been getting municipal services and are substantially better off than 20 years ago; secondly, within suburbs there has been an ongoing socio-economic and racial restructuring, driven by market forces and


changing the profiles and compositions of primarily former white suburbs. While the SDF is well intended and provides a sound platform and ‘bench mark’ for the guiding of spatial transformation it may need more ‘buy-in’ from communities and investors to significantly impact the future spatial nature of Sol Plaatje Municipality. It also needs to consider lucrative incentives to lure private investment towards spatial transformation.

Documents

SOL PLAATJIE MUNICIPALITY - SA Cities Plaatjie.pdfSol Plaatjie Municipality | Page 6 Matthew’s Church, as a witness at the subsequent inquiry, placed the blame squarely on the policy