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Conclusions and implications for policy

Many people have benefitted from gov- and opportunities is needed, as well as ernment investment in services and housing. cheaper and more diverse transport options, Waterworks stands out as an area of limited and support for income-earning activities for Living the urban periphery: investment, infrastructure and economic change in investment, different from the other two everyone. Clear improvements in the lives of neighbourhoods in both the plans for its residents of Waterworks is needed. Lufhereng, Protea Glen and Waterworks, , future as well as its governing authority. Where poor people have benefitted from Introducing the Research Project December 2018 infrastructure and better quality housing this is highly significant in their lives, but these In 2017 a group of researchers from the University of Sheffield in the UK and the University of the Witwatersrand in SA began a research improvements do not address poverty and project in Lufhereng and Protea Glen in the western edge of . Research in Waterworks in Rand-West municipality started in June joblessness which remains a major concern. 2018. The researchers were interested in finding out how changes in areas on the peripheries of African cities happen (especially changes in Crime and substance abuse is widespread, infrastructure), who makes these changes, and, most importantly, how these changes are experienced by people living there. The researchers especially amongst youth who have little else focused on a few different types of infrastructure, so the study includes examples of investment in housing, roads, transport, basic services, to occupy their time. Distance from other and investment in industrial areas. The researchers wanted to test the idea that infrastructure investment in the urban periphery can improve parts of the city and the high cost of the quality of daily life for the communities where new infrastructure has been put in place. transport are real constraints to people forg- The research in Johannesburg and Rand-West formed one ‘case’ in a much larger project researching seven different areas in three city- ing a better life. regions in Africa. There are two other cases in Gauteng – Winterveld, and Ekangala-Ekaindustria-Rethabiseng in Tshwane— and two in This suggests that a focus on youth activities Waterworks informal settlement Makeshift sportsground in Lufhereng. eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal: first the cluster of Hammonds Farm, Waterloo, Canelands and Conistion, and second, Molweni, Crestholme and Crestview . There are also two case in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia: the areas of Tulu Dimtu and Yeka Abado. The researchers hope to understand each of these places in detail and compare them to each other to increase our knowledge of how infrastructure changes affect Research on experiences of living the urban periphery in other African cities poverty reduction and how people living in these areas experience these changes. In Lufhereng, Protea Glen and Waterworks 52 residents wrote diaries about their daily life for a two-week period and took photographs showing living conditions, services and experiences of their neighbourhood. The researchers spoke to 43 of these men and women in the com- Similar research has taken place in Molweni, living in poverty. In some areas on the edges for work. Residents noted the new invest- munity, community leaders and six professionals involved in planning and urban development to gather further information. Surveys (questionnaires) were undertaken with around 200 residents. This pamphlet summarises the main findings of the research based on infor- Hammonds Farm/ Waterloo, Ekangala and of cities local government is quite weak or is ments in employment opportunities in their mation we gathered from residents of Lufhereng, Protea Glen and Waterworks. Unfortunately there is not enough space to report on every- Winterveld in South Africa and Addis Ababa far away, and in these cases some local pow- areas or beyond. But, many lacked the right thing that was said. in Ethiopia. The researchers spoke to men erful men control whole areas and can often skills for the work or were seen as too old or and women in each community, collected be useful to residents but also operate not supporting the right political party. Different kinds of neighbourhoods Experience of place over time resident diaries and photographs, and inter- through a culture of fear. Many struggled with basic things like lack of viewed residents and key professionals. The access to photocopiers etc. to submit CVs The three settlements in this case are very different: Protea “ Lufhereng is only 7 years old and has beautiful RDP houses, tarred roads, findings of the research showed that resi- Residents in many cases note the im- for consideration. These findings would all Glen is a large area with different extensions of privately owned drain systems are on point“ (♀ Lufhereng resident). dents had experienced both positive and portance of shopping malls and new shop- be shared with relevant government author- houses, some local shops, a mall and bus services. Lufhereng is a relatively new development still under construction, with one “ In Protea Glen we have schools, churches, police station, Malls” (♀ Protea negative consequences of the changes that ping facilities both is making their daily lives ities and also with those involved in urban Glen resident). section occupied, mainly consisting of government-subsidised had occurred in their areas. Some of the key planning and housing. ‘RDP’ houses and two schools. Many of the current residents of findings in other areas are as follows: RDP Lufhereng were previously living in an informal settlement, in housing is much appreciated elsewhere but backyard rooms in , or on farms. It is planned to be a Residents of Lufhereng and Protea Glen had a more positive outlook residents struggle with affordability and also very large mixed income development with different kinds of of the changes they had experienced in their respective areas over- time whereas those from Wa- access to jobs and services such as clinics. housing including social housing flats and private housing, as well as different kinds of facilities. Waterworks is a small infor- terworks were largely unhappy. Conditions in informal settlements remain mal settlement with houses people have built themselves from Lufhereng residents commend- very poor with little evidence of improve- different kinds of material. These three areas are all alongside ed the rapid development of ment. Residents are very anxious about the R554 road on the western edge of Soweto, but they have their area such as the rolling waiting times for housing and many are undeveloped agricultural land between them. Although this is out of electricity and street- lights. In Protea Glen, the Molweni, KZN not obvious when you visit the area, Protea Glen and Lufhereng are within the City of Johannesburg (but on its outer boundary) building of shopping centers easier but also sometimes providing employ- while Waterworks lies outside of JHB within the Rand West and other amenities and the servicing of the Rea Vaya buses ment. Lack of employment was a dominant municipality. was positively received. In Wa- theme across the cases in South Africa and terworks, years of neglect have this undermined most residents’ otherwise Yeko Abado, Addis Ababa fuelled frustration. The chal- positive experiences of all the changes. In lenges faced by residents in all Ethiopia, more residents had employment these areas are highlighted below. but they really struggle with the costs of More information and contact details: Lufhereng their new government homes and also with https://www.wits.ac.za/urbanperiphery the very long commutes into the city centre / Lufhereng A street in Lufhereng Hammond’s Farm, KZN A street in Protea Glen, and a house in Waterworks PAGE 2 PAGE 3

For Waterworks residents, affordability In Waterworks, the police are far away in Transport, mobility and was a huge concern but residents welcomed Alcohol, drugs and crime West Rand municipality so they often take a Feelings of belonging, “the problem is not the provision but the cost ” featured in many of the discussions in all the introduction of free school buses for pri- long time to arrive. Rape or fear of rape is a location are concerns for many resi- (♀ Protea Glen resident) are shaped by a mary school students. The extension of the three areas. In general, unemployment, par- real concern. Residents speak of communi- connectivity dents of Lufhereng, Protea Glen and Water- ticularly amongst the youth was blamed for service to high school learners who are cur- ty-based patrols as a local response to variety of factors including peoples’ rela- works. A common sentiment in all three areas rently paying for unreliable trains would be the increasing incidence of substance abuse crime. tionships with their local representatives was that employment opportunities were Protea Glen residents on the other hand com- greatly appreciated by the community. Many and crime. and councillors. Generally people speak located far away and the cost of transport to mended the introduction of the Rea Vaya bus People believed that some resort to alco- “it is sometimes useless to even call them at positively about the different people in residents in Waterworks rely on walking to all. they never come and if they do the issue Johannesburg CBD and other parts of the city service, but still complained about the afford- to seek employment and for shop- hol and drug abuse because they have noth- would have been long resolved. We fix our own their community though there are some was prohibitive. ability of taxis to Johannesburg and places like ing else to look forward to. Those engaged in issues. ” (♂ Waterworks resident). ping. who express resentment about some of In Lufhereng people lamented the ab- the . The presence of shopping cen- criminal activities are in turn the same indi- the people who get work. sence of buses and trains as they are only tres mean many residents just walk to buy viduals who are seeking money to satisfy

served by taxis. This is contrast to the Pro- “What I do not like about this place is that their necessities reducing the need to travel. their addictions. In Protea Glen, drug-related “I would say it’s a good, beautiful, peaceful place tea South informal settlement where most we are too far from shops, schools, clinics, crime began rising from 2010 and some resi- but life there is hard because there aren’t any jobs”

of them use to live, which had easier ac- jobs” (♀ Waterworks resident). (♂ Lufhereng resident). dents believed that this coincided with Pro- cess to transport, particularly the train. tea Glen becoming larger.

The absence of nearby shopping centres in The low visibility of police offices more so “It doesn’t feel that Waterworks is part of the city Lufhereng also means residents have to “I couldn’t attend school one day because in Lufhereng and Waterworks was also because there aren’t any services” commute more often. the trains weren’t working. We walk to blamed for the increased incidence of crime. (♀ Waterworks resident).

school when the train isn’t working and it is Whist there is a police station in Protea Glen, really far - about an hour’s walk. Besides, the other two areas are serviced by police “The transport services are very poor because if the train will always be late ” you want to commute to the CBD you only rely on (♀ Waterworks resident). stations located in other communities. one mode of transport which is taxis “

(♀ Lufhereng resident). “This place need s a small police station where we can report cases. Even after contacting the nearest station in Dobsonville, the police will regularly refuse to come to Lufhereng because they don’t know where it is.” A home in Waterworks (♂ Lufhereng resident). Caricature of Nyaope

works for 18 years with very little improve- is highly une- “there is no water, electricity, no sanitation Service delivery ment in services, although the greater num- and at no stage was there any waste disposal ven across the three areas. Protea Glen is ber of communal taps is mentioned positive- areas. Residents don’t have waste the most serviced, including with private ly. Lack of electricity means some collect bins” (Waterworks resident). sector facilities like garages and shops. The firewood for cooking, and illegal electricity Lufhereng Waterworks Protea Glen recent extension of Wifi to the area is appre- connections have led to the electrocution of ciated by residents. children. People lament the infrequent ser- vicing of pit toilets. There is little prospect of Unemployment is a major concern that cut across all areas. Residents lamented how their respective areas are located far “So even if you are a student it is very beneficial to development as the land is privately owned away from Johannesburg or the East Rand. This is made worse by the lack of reliable and affordable transport services. Lack of jobs for young have access to the internet for free to do their research assignments’” ( ♂ Protea Glen resident) and has been earmarked for commercial people and the elderly is particularly mentioned. development. Waterworks residents are now As Protea Glen continues to expand more pinning their hope on a relocation to RDP I cannot always afford to go to school ( ♀Waterworks resident) Lufhereng residents vividly described their concerns about employment services are in the pipeline which residents housing in Zuurbekom. because many of them had lived in Protea South Informal settlement which were positive about. However currently Lufhereng is the in-between area charac- was better located for seeking job opportunities in other parts of the city. some services are not extensive enough or terised by access to basic services such as electricity, water, roads, sanitation and Communal water tap in Waterworks Some residents are now resorting to informal trading whilst others rely on are of insufficient quality. Residents particu- schools, with additional facilities planned. the few government jobs that arise when there is a project in their area. larly call for recreation and sports facilities for the youth, and link their absence to the Residents’ perceptions depend on whether However, these opportunities are allegedly characterised by favouritism. widespread drug problem in the area. their previous locality had better or worse To counter favouritism, residents are increasingly in support of a raffle public facilities: for some the tarred roads system whereby everyone’s ID’s are placed in a container and then ran- “ there is only one police station and one and street lighting are a significant improve- library – people in the new extensions don’t domly selected. have access to them. The queue at the clinic ment, although not all parts of Lufhereng are is very long ” (♀ Protea Glen resident). as well serviced. The new primary school is welcomed. Electricity is appreciated though In Waterworks many people only access very low-paid part-time, inse- people complain about the cost of it. Several cure or casual work. Some people are despondent about the lack of job people mention the need for robots and Waterworks as an informal settlement is opportunities now and in the future. Residents speak of the importance of traffic calming measures. completely the opposite and residents are NGOs that provide meals for children and sometimes also adults. Poverty greatly concerned about the lack of services. affects some people’s ability to attend education. Some residents have been living in Water- Protea Glen with cell phone mast A home business in Lufhereng