Local community and stakeholder participation in post-apartheid urban renewal development projects in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Abstract

Beginning from the mid-1990, the implementation of South African development projects witnessed remarkable changes. Driven primarily by government policy, particularly after 1994, these changes among other things offered opportunities for the people to participate in the development of their areas. This study evaluates the impact of local community and stakeholder participation in urban renewal initiatives during post-apartheid South Africa. The results show the critical role of community participation in the effective implementation of development initiatives. Participation provides communities with a platform to raise concerns thereby enabling critical and constructive dialogue among the relevant stakeholders and government officials. The study concludes that limited community participation in the planning and implementation of sustainable development projects contributes to creation of resistance among affected stakeholders