Learning from Architects Who Engage in the Upgrade of Informal Settlement Programmes (UISP) in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has a progressive human settlements policy that makes provision for the in-situ upgrading of informal settlements, aimed towards the holistic integration of informal settlements into the urban and socio-economic fabric of cities. However, the rising number of informal settlements and the dissatisfaction amongst informal settlement dwellers indicate a disjunction between these policies and the implementation thereof. It is argued that upgrading initiatives should be the result of a wide and inclusive participatory process, involving governments, public and private sectors, appropriate professionals and most importantly the communities as key stakeholders. Despite indications that the architectural profession has a role to play in the upgrading of informal settlements, their participation in these upgrading processes remains poorly defined and unrecognised. This paper reflects on selected upgrade projects where architects have engaged successfully and what lessons can be learnt from these. In the projects that have been selected, the architectural professionals took on the various roles of facilitator, collaborator, contributor and stakeholder. These roles have enabled a shared understanding of the contextual needs of each community, beyond the conventional investigations within the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP), thereby empowering these communities to envision beyond the evident, and assisting in balancing the collective aspirations of the individuals. These examples demonstrate a possible contribution by architects towards ensuring the future livelihoods of these communities, working towards achieving spatial equity through spatial agency.