From informal settlements to multi-storey buildings: exploring the implementation of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP). A case study of Princess Informal Settlement

Abstract

Urbanization is a contributing factor to the formation of informal settlements, and has exacerbated the housing shortage and put pressure on the state to provide housing. To address this challenge, policies such as the UISP have been introduced. The UISP promotes in situ upgrading of informal settlements to the extent possible. However, due to limited space, in some informal settlements multi-storey buildings had to be built in phase four of the UISP. In this report, I discuss how the UISP has been implemented at the Princess informal settlement, particularly regarding the relocation of beneficiaries into multi-storey buildings. City of Johannesburg Department of Housing officials and Princess Informal Settlement participants took part in semi-structured interviews. As a result of institutional incapacity and community dynamics, the UISP is not implemented consistently at the Princess informal settlement. The report recommends strategies that may facilitate the implementation of phase four of the UISP.