New master plan launched to beef-up informal settlements

By Chanel September
23 May 2007

A plan to improve the living conditions of all 222 informal settlements in the metro has today been launched by the City of Cape Town.

The detailed plan forms part of the city’s Informal Settlement Upgrading Master Plan.

The aim of the detailed plan is to provide essential services to all informal settlements within the next two years. Essential services include the improvement of water, sanitation and area lighting.

“The city’s vision for the plan is to upgrade the settlements in a sustainable manner which intern will align with the city’s housing plan”, says Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille.

“Our master plan seeks to ensure that those who have been waiting the longest get help first “, says Zille.

“The master plan gives us an indication of the levels of service delivery in the metro. It also provides a clear indication of the vast tracks of land that we need to have for 40 000 families to at least be relocated“, says Mayco member for Housing Dan Plato.

He added that the informal settlements have now been identified but the key issue is to upgrade, relocated and provide the necessary services