Sustainable stormwater management in Johannesburg's informal settlements
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Date
2013-08-28
Authors
Adegun, Olumuyiwa Bayode
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Abstract
Stormwater management is one of the key components of basic infrastructure in the
urban environment. It is important in achieving quality living environments in urban
informal settlements. This study considers the social and institutional domains of
sustainability in relation to stormwater management interventions in the context of
Johannesburg’s informal settlements. The study follows a qualitative approach, with
two informal settlements in Johannesburg serving as case studies. The two
settlements are Slovo Park and Elias Motsoaledi. A total of eighteen interviews were
conducted with residents in both settlements, during several field visits, and with
officials dealing with informal settlements and stormwater in the city. The study shows
the specific challenges facing stormwater management in the settlements; the
stormwater management and drainage practices adopted by the residents and the
potentials of community-led, NGO-assisted initiatives on stormwater management as
part of thrusts intended to catalyse in-situ upgrading. It also shows that specific
stormwater management interventions by the City of Johannesburg are embedded in
the context of formalisation of informal settlements, in other words, township
establishment. Interim services provided in almost all settlements rarely touch on
stormwater management. This study affirms the importance of meaningful
participation in stormwater management interventions and approaches that sustain
‘socio-human’ capacity for resilience in relation to impacts of runoff in informal
settlements. The conclusion shows the benefits of catchment-scale model for
stormwater management, the potential of green infrastructure and the necessity for
policy transition to sustainable drainage systems.