Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities - Agence ...

8. The Limits of the Government’s Actions
the South Africans call cross-subsidies, a term used to designate the construction
of RDP and bonded houses within the same project, notably to improve the level of
infrastructure. 53
Manage Urban Development
When it comes to urban development, entrusting one body over the long term with
conducting an urban project as a whole theoretically allows for reflection on urban design
and allows one to coordinate all urban functions necessary for the settlement to
function properly. When it is not a municipal urban development initiative, the commune
must decide whether or not to deliver the building permit. This allows it, if it wishes, to
guide its development, apply a strategy, and control development and construction.
8.4.3. A Pertinent Scale for a Multi-Sector Approach
The municipal government seems to be the appropriate public link to manage city
development and city shape. In South Africa, a tendency to transfer more responsibility
to large municipalities to allow them to conduct their own development and best
integrate poor populations in the city seems to be emerging.
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53. See the Cosmo City project (Part Three, section 9.3.5.).
© AFD 2009 Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities