Community Centers as Models for Sustainability and Integration: Making a Case for Stjwetla, Johannesburg

Abstract

Communities across cities of the Global South experience segregation and inequalities due to rapid urbanization and migration, affecting low-income communities in urban areas. This study investigates how the Stjwetla informal settlement in Johannesburg, can be integrated into wider society and how community centers can facilitate social and environmental sustainability. This study aimed to find out about existing community centers in Stjwetla and explore opportunities for integration with neighboring communities. The qualitative methods adopted in this study investigate various concerns, views, and recommendations by residents. While previous research on informal settlements focuses on housing and resilience, this study addresses the gap in investigating community centers in informal settlements. The findings reflect the presence of community centers in Stjwetla however the design and governance need improvement. The results of this study provide insight into how community centers can be mediums for bridging the gap between informal low-income and formal high-income neighborhoods.