The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has gazetted the phase 2 documentation of its National Infrastructure Plan 2050, which details the path the government will follow in realising its major infrastructure projects over the next 30 years.<\/p>\n
The first phase of the plan was approved by cabinet in March 2022 and focused on bulk infrastructure developments. The second phase looks at broader infrastructure goals across housing, education, health, and roads.<\/p>\n
A key aspect of the plan is tackling the issue of affordable housing in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The department noted that the housing supply in the country is generally sufficient to meet the demand for middle- to upper-income households. However, the supply is insufficient to meet the needs of lower-income households.<\/p>\n
Housing supply is mainly derived through formal private sector development serving households earning more than R22,000 a month or through government subsidies or partially developed housing for ownership and rental, serving those earning less than that.<\/p>\n
Informal settlements and small-scale “backyard” rental units have begun to crop up on existing residential properties as a result of this lack of supply for low-income households, it said.<\/p>\n
The department now proposes a ‘realignment’ of housing development in the country, focusing on new projects starting from scratch (greenfield), reusing vacant land (brownfield) and ‘densifying’ and upgrading existing towns and neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n
A big focus is being placed on affordable housing and increasing the number of backyard rentals in existing residential areas to meet the demand for cheaper residences. The department also wants to continue its plan to upgrade and formalise informal settlements.<\/p>\n
The key plans are:<\/p>\n
A pilot programme will be designed and implemented to test critical typologies and methodologies in select cities, including the City of Cape Town<\/strong> and the City of Ekurhuleni<\/strong> for urban densification, and the City of Ekurhuleni<\/strong> and the City of Tshwane<\/strong> for in situ upgrading of informal settlements.<\/p>\n The department noted that the plan faces challenges, particularly around funding, a lack of skills and expertise to flesh out the plan, as well as issues like government corruption pulling resources away from these goals.<\/p>\n That’s not to mention the myriad of red tape issues, regulatory hurdles and climate change measures that need to be factored in.<\/p>\n However, it said that it will be preparing a white paper to lay out the strategic framework for the plan, which will include strengthened planning and budgeting measures. The department will also look to devolve related settlement and related infrastructure provision powers, functions and funding to expedite decision-making closer to the points of implementation.<\/p>\n “Streamlined planning, building control and bylaw enforcement processes at the municipal level will drive rapid development approvals to support private sector investment in the built environment,” it said. “National legislation with respect to development charges will be implemented by municipalities.”<\/p>\n In terms of funding, the department proposes that a national programme of municipal rates and taxes collection improvement be applied to drive municipal sustainability – linked to conditional grants to cities and municipalities.<\/p>\n The plan will be developed by 2023\/24, it said, with implementation starting in 2024.<\/p>\n
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