LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Mpumalanga province has undertaken to establish a Provincial Planning Commission that will take a long-term view of human settlements. It will consider factors including the ebb and flow of economic activity; migration patterns; the performance of its productive sectors; and transport logistics, according to Premier David Mabuza.
This commission will bring together practical, academic and technical expertise and experience from across all sectors to ensure the upward socioeconomic trajectory of the province is based on sound evidence and specialist advice. “The province has made significant progress in eradicating informal settlements and upgrading existing human settlements,” said Mabuza. “However, we will not succeed in building sustainable human settlements that will stand for generations to come, if our processes are not anchored on long-term planning.
“When preparing to build integrated human settlements, growth points must be identified to catalyse their sustainable development. This requires careful planning that takes a long-term view and integrates the sustainable economic activities that make such settlements viable. Such plans would have to be cognisant of current and future economic development nodes, priority corridors and migration patterns so we can utilise our resources to create settlements proactively.
“We need the capacity to predict and plan beyond 2030. This must take into account principles of spatial planning, especially issues of access to social services like education and healthcare.” come here and won’t Over R1bn for 6 652 housing units at: Mashishing Sabie Tekwane North and South Mjindini Malelane Over R5.8bn for 13 591 housing units at: Standerton Extension 8 (4 000 units) Balfour Ridge (3 500 units) Wesselton Extension 7 (626 units) Emzinoni (5 465 units) R2.47bn for 18 450 housing units at: Siyanqoba (11 450 units) Duvha Park (1 500 units) Siyathuthuka (3 300 units) Rockdale Extension (2 200 units)