The impact of social networks on the livelihoods of Johannesburg's inner-city residents: the case of Hillbrow

Abstract

There is the less conventional but just as vital side to urban planning that concerns itself with the livelihoods of the everyday people. Beyond rolling out bulk infrastructure and utopian designing of cities of the future, urban planning also undertakes the difficult task of making cities receptive to all, that is, opportunities presented to all people living in cities. This research is bedded on that side of urban planning; it assesses the impact of social networks (and the daily practices that arise from them) on the livelihoods of inner-city residents. Johannesburg’s inner-city, particularly Hillbrow, is one of the most densely populated areas in South Africa. It accommodates tens of thousands of people coming into Johannesburg from different corners of the country and African continent seeking opportunities and a better life in Johannesburg. These high volumes of people living in the area are housed in high rise buildings which largely characterize the urban fabric of the neighbourhood. Hillbrow, in recent times, has also been characterised by decline, divestment and urban poverty. The high density brings about a close-knit community where people interact frequently on a social level and inevitably foster relationships and build social networks. These social networks are essential to inner-city livelihoods as inner-city residents seem to make use of them to get employment and engage in practices necessary for their daily survival (most of which are informal). In the research I explore the nature of these social networks, the practices that arise from then and probe the extent to which they impact the livelihoods of inner-city residents. I used semi-structured interviews with participants residing in the neighbourhood. Their stories indeed demonstrated the importance of social networks in improving their livelihoods amidst urban poverty and precarious living