Community expectations and urban development perspectives: Urban development as experienced in South Africa

Abstract

The concept of a sustainable city, it seems, forms a very complex entity with many interactive components, tenant in the integrative perspective and its futuristic scope, before it can be termed to be sustainable. This being the case, how does the planning system bring the community involvement to address the challenges faced by the contemporary city? Thus, this paper analyses the present practices underlying urban development in central and the capacitation of community; to understand the activities underpinning this reality and its operating environment: assess like the threats and opportunities involved from a scientific, philosophical and political point of view. Spatial planning is in nature (and will always be) politically sensitive. With community development in South Africa, desires and expectations are focused on the present reality: they want jobs, homes and socio-economic security and access. The research conducted in Matlosana Municipality in RSA recognised this interface and the need for interdisciplinary approach at the local level. The focus of the paper will be to establish the point at which a range of different kinds of question collide and require simultaneous solutions; and in which issues of power [governance] and community needs [involvement] can result into interdisciplinarity. This is considered the main pathway to resolve community issues and thus support towards enhancing the sustainable city principle in terms of an incremental approach towards revitalization of neighbourhoods urban integration and thus sustainability. © 2013 WIT Press.