Urban renewal strategy : the case of Klerksdorp City Council
Abstract
With the massive urbanisation taking place on a global scale, international interest and
concern increasingly center on the ability of local government(s) to be able to manage
the ever-increasing urban population.
The unprecedented developments that have taken place within South African towns,
cities and metropolitan areas over the past years have served to emphasise the vital
necessity for intelligent planning of the country's urban communities. It is in the light of
these arguments that urban management and town planning should be practised in such
a manner to satisfy both the social and physical well-being of communities.
One of the most pressing challenges for urban managers across the world, particularly
in developed and mid-developed countries, is the reduction of social exclusion and the
redevelopment of deprived neighbourhoods and communities. Unfortunately, urban
planning and management in some towns and cities - particularly with the emphasis on
service delivery - has not yet reached its full potential in furthering public planning and
developmental policies.
The provision of basic services to urban residents is another of the numerous problems
that local governments face. High population density and the concentration of industries
(in some municipalities) in the rapidly growing cities of the world are leading to a
significant increase in problems, such as air pollution from households, industry, power
stations and transportation. Water pollution, inadequate sanitation, overcrowding and
poor quality housing, are other concerns for many cities, including Klerksdorp.
Furthermore, it has become increasingly important to address issues at local level in
partnership with key stakeholders. A multidimensional approach in solving urban
problems is crucial, with some dimension (sector) addressing comprehensive community
development initiatives on a city-wide basis, incorporating a planning component (IDP)
and others addressing the implementation of more specific community-based projects.
The approach as a whole is purposively political and process-oriented, promoting
political commitment and advocating fundamental change in local government and its
relationship with communities.
These types of approaches to urban management and planning involve a wide variety of
stakeholders. These stakeholders are increasingly becoming involved in all stages of
policy-making and implementation, from the initial definition and prioritisation of issues
(IDP process), the collection and analysis of information, to the development and
implementation of plans (National Key Performance Indicators).
In order to ensure long-standing commitment, it is important that stakeholders are
properly involved in the definition of problems as well as in problem solution (community
participation and involvement). The concerns, needs and preference of all relevant
interested and affected parties, including service users, need to be articulated in the
form of IDP priorities.
Partners bring their knowledge, expertise and perceptions of the problem and could also
frequently benefit by gaining a better understanding of the technical and financial
constraints that might have a bearing on plans that are subsequently developed.
Although the initiatives of urban planning and management should come from local
government, all parties must be brought on board so that the whole urban renewal and
management process can be seen as a collective effort of multipartners.