JOSHCO Upgrading of Informal Settlements

Project Details:
Client: JOSHCO
Discipline: Social and Sustainability
Category: Human Settlements
Location: Alexandra, Gauteng
Key project Details: Social Impact Studies, Socio-Economic Assessment and Stakeholder and Community Engagement for the Upgrading of the Informal Settlements (UISP) of the 4 (Iphutheng, Triangle, Amarasta and Alex 107) Alexandra and Kya Sands Informal Settlements.

November 2021 – June 2024

Thero Services has been tasked with the pivotal role in social studies by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) within the Department of Housing's expansive endeavour to enhance 31 informal settlements under the Upgrading Informal Settlements Programme (UISP). Collaborating closely with JOSHCO, the designated implementing agent, our responsibilities extend to key settlements such as Alex 107, Iphutheng Schools, Triangle, Amarasta, and Kya Sands, all falling within Phase 3 of the UISP in Region E. Our approach was firmly rooted in compliance with the National Housing Code (2009), ensuring that upgrades occur on-site and progressively, prioritizing community integrity and sustainable development. While relocation is contemplated only as a last resort, contingent upon land suitability and financial viability, our unwavering commitment remains centered on fostering equitable and enduring enhancements within these communities.

Moreover, we played a vital role in establishing the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and implementing the RACI Matrix, which identified and categorized stakeholders and their roles in the project, along with compiling the demographic profile of households per settlement. Thero Services successfully developed, facilitated, and implemented a Stakeholder and Community Participation Plan, producing a comprehensive report on engagement processes. Additionally, socio-economic and situational analyses were conducted on settlement status and conditions, submitting a detailed Database report to the Client. Our efforts resulted in successful stakeholder engagement and community awareness of UISP, culminating in the facilitation of the signing of the Social Compact. Thero Services was also instrumental in arranging workshops and meetings with both the Client and the community, fostering effective communication and collaboration throughout the project.

In conclusion, as Thero Services assumed its role in this project, the emphasis lay on cultivating community awareness around the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP), with a dedicated focus on integrating local laborers into the skills development framework. Moreover, project opportunities such as extensions to meticulously verify and transparently communicate enumeration data of structures and households from preceding phases. These endeavours underscore Thero Services commitment to fostering sustainable development and ensuring the project's continued success through meaningful community engagement and accurate data management.