Environmental and social impacts of human settlement development projects in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

This paper analyses human settlement development projects’ environmental and social impacts in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality, South Africa. The socio-environmental impacts examined in this paper are noise pollution, safety and security, traffic congestion, waste management, water pollution, air pollution, ecological degradation, and land-use changes. Using qualitative data collected through traditional participatory research approaches, the study reveals that the increase in population in the Gauteng province, South Africa, has contributed to high demand for housing development projects, which further contributed to the continued expansion of residential areas in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality. This new urban development has impacted the environment and social well-being of Ekurhuleni residents. The results revealed that current existing environmental policies are insufficient to tackle environmental and social impacts encountered while redressing spatial injustice, which contributed to unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in urban areas. Of particular concern is the absence of monitoring of projects once the construction of houses is completed and residents have occupied their homes. The results emphasised that without proper housing development plans, people will utilise open spaces to establish slums even though they are in a sensitive environment. The findings highlight the urgent need to understand the complex interplay between the sustainability of human settlements and spatial equality. Finally, the study results recommended the need to raise awareness among stakeholders to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of human settlement development projects in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality.