The upgrading of an informal settlement in South Africa: Two decades onwards

Much of the research on low-income housing and informal settlements comprises one-off case studies focussing on narrow aspects of development. In this regard, however, there is a considerable need to continue to learn from experience, and more specifically, from long-term evaluations. This study considers the upgrading of Freedom Square in Bloemfontein, South Africa, over a period of twenty years. Five aspects are considered in detail, namely: migration and mobility, targeting and poverty reduction, community building, housing consolidation and overall settlement development. Essentially, we contend that migration patterns have remained fairly natural, but that the Freedom Square case study remains a good example of spatial infilling. This spatial infilling, coupled with the provision of basic services and a range of government subsidies, has played a significant role in addressing poverty in the area. Although community-participation processes were initially orientated towards meeting the criteria of such development funds as were available, we argue that the decline of the Urban Upgrading Trust is also closely related to the government's inclination towards centralisation. The absence of a longer-term holistic development approach can also be linked to this tendency. Finally, the lack of maintenance of infrastructure in the area could potentially result in the loss of some of the health benefits that were gained through upgrading in the area.

► This research assesses informal settlement upgrading in Bloemfontein, South Africa, over 20 years.
► It analyses demographic trends in informal settlement upgrading.
► The paper discusses the degree to which upgrading has reached the poor.
► It assesses community participation and planning in upgrading.
► It speculates on the changing needs over the next 20 years.