The Impact of an Urban Renewal Programme on the Inhabitants of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa

1. The Impact of an Urban Renewal Programme on the Inhabitants of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa Nic0 KotzeDepartment of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy StudiesUniversity of Johannesburg, South Africa IGU Urban Commission MeetingUniversity of Canterbury

2. Structure of the presentation • Introduction • Development and location of Alexandra • Urban renewal in Alexandra • Demographic attributes of the interviewees • Satisfaction levels on basic services • Reasons for dissatisfaction with basic services • Response of ARP to grievances • Concluding remarks

3. Introduction • Urbanization in South Africa has surpassed the investment in infrastructure and services (particularly in poor areas). • The spatial legacy of Apartheid has also resulted in a concentration of poverty in townships. • The ANC government has initiated a number programmes to alleviate the associated problems. • In 2001 the Urban Renewal Programme was introduced by president Mbeki. • This programme was to be implemented in eight nodes in six cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Kimberly)

4. Development of Alecandra • Alexandra was established in 1905. • Named after the owner of the original farm. • The non-white township, consisting of approximately 2 300 stands, was sold to black and coloureds in the mid-1910s. • The township is situated on an area of land, approximately 12 km north-east of CBD of Johannesburg. • It has a grid layout and is densely-settled, with and estimated 320 000 to 340 000 inhabitants. • Comprises of 8 500 formal houses, 3 400 shacks, 3 hostels, 25 000 flats. • The township has serious service backlog. • Alexandra has a high unemployment and crime rate.

5. Location of Alexandra

6. Residential areas and Urban Renewal • Residential areas of Alexandra Tswe’tla/Old Alexandra (poorest and most densely populated); East Bank (redeveloped in the 1980s); Tsutsumani (initially called Far East Bank); and River Park (middle-income community). • The first steps towards urban renewal were taken in 1999 when Far East Bank was redeveloped for the All-Africa Games (renamed Tsutsumani) • This area now accommodates 1 700 free-standing, semi-detached and simplex housing units. • These houses are currently occupied by those people who had previously been on a housing waiting list.

7. Demographic attributes of the Interviewees in Alexandra East Bank River Park Tsutsumani Tswe’tla Average Educational Qualifications ≤ Grade 11 66.7% 26.7% 66.7% 40% 50% Grade 12 20% 40% 13.3% 60% 33.3% Tertiary qualification 13.3% 33.3% 20% 0% 16.7% Employment Employed 40% 53.3% 66.7% 80% 60% Unemployed 60% 46.7% 33.3% 20% 40% Income per month < R1 500 80% 66.7% 40% 40% 56.7% R1 500 – R2 500 13.3% 6.7% 33.3% 20% 18.3% R2 501 – R3 500 6.7% 0% 0% 26.7% 8.3% > R3 500 0% 26.7% 26.7% 13.3% 16.7%

8. Satisfaction levels on basic services East Bank River Park Tsutsumani Tswe’tla Average Sanitation Satisfied 67% 40% 80% 0% 46.8% Neutral 0% 20% 0% 0% 5% Dissatisfied 33% 40% 20% 100%48.2% Water Supply Satisfied 60% 80% 67% 0% 51.8% Neutral 7% 0% 0% 0% 1.8% Dissatisfied 33% 20% 33% 100% 46.5% Electricity Satisfied 33% 47% 27% 0% 26.8% Neutral 13% 0% 0% 0% 3.3% Dissatisfied 53% 53% 73%100%69.8%

9. Satisfaction levels on basic services East Bank River Park Tsutsumani Tswe’tla Average Housing Satisfied 20% 53% 40% 0% 28.3% Neutral 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Dissatisfied 80% 47% 60% 100%71.8% Health Services Satisfied 33% 40% 40% 0% 28.2% Neutral 27% 0% 0% 0% 6.8% Dissatisfied 40% 60%60%100%65% Educational Facilities Satisfied 33% 60% 47% 0% 35% Neutral 20% 20% 53% 0% 23.3% Dissatisfied 47% 20% 0% 100%41.7% Recreational Facilities Satisfied 33% 20% 33.3% 0% 21.6% Neutral 27% 40% 33.3% 0% 25% Dissatisfied 40% 40% 33.3% 100%53.3%

10. Floor plan of a RDP house

11. Reasons for dissatisfaction with basic services • The interviewees complained about leaking drains. They have reported it to the ARP-Management, but the problem persists. • The residents in River Park and Tsutsumani reported that they were frustrated about the water bills they were receiving. • The price and availability of electricity. The interviewees argued that the municipality cuts electricity without notification, which put their electrical appliances at risk. • The interviewees claim that there are a lot of discrepancies surrounding the allocation of houses. • Interviewees complained about the distances to health facilities and the poor services they receive.

12. Response of The ARP to grievances • The deputy director of the ARP claims that 10 000 housing units were built. • The ARP does not receive sufficient funding, which makes it difficult for this programme to attain its housing objectives. • The constant influx of people into Alexandra has put the provision of houses and other services under strain. • The ARP has refurbished 4 primary clinics and acquired an ambulance for the area. • ARP refurbished 18 schools, two existing schools were demolished and new structures constructed. • ARP claims that sports grounds and parks have been improved and upgraded (No 3 Square, Altreck Sports Grounds, Alexandra Stadium).

13. Concluding Remarks • It seems that high levels of dissatisfaction or neutrality prevails towards the URP in Alexandra. • High levels of dissatisfaction exists in respect to the provision of services (electricity, health services and housing). • Interviewees felt that management of ARP/the Government is not doing enough to meet their expectations. • Visually it seems that urban renewal in Alexandra is a symbol of success. • The ARP has dramatically changed the physical, economic and social environment in some areas of Alexandra.