Cape Town residents have until 31 August 2013 to comment on the City of Cape Town’s Draft Policy to Inform the Proactive Re-blocking of Informal Settlements.
Proactive re-blocking refers to repositioning informal structures to produce a logical layout of the settlement. The draft policy informs Capetonians of the City’s plan to re-block informal settlements, which is aimed at reducing the impact of potential disasters, including fires and floods, on households in these communities and improving their access to City services.
Although the City has made good progress improving its utility service delivery to the 204 informal settlements in Cape Town over the past few years, the current design and characteristics of some of the settlements make it difficult to provide services at the national minimum standards.
Highly flammable building materials and high densities of dwellings increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly and limit effective response by the City’s emergency services, which often lead to death and loss of possessions.
The draft policy hopes to provide informal settlements with safer, integrated public spaces; proper access for emergency vehicles; safe and convenient foot paths and improved access to basic municipal services.
Informal settlement re-blocking will lead to a reduction of fires spreading rapidly over large areas, improving the safety of residents and reducing the impact of potential disasters and health hazards.
Printed copies of the draft policy are available at subcouncil offices and City libraries for viewing purposes only.
For more information on the draft policy, as well as the comment procedure, contact Levona Powell on 021 710 9319, e-mail Levona.powell@capetown.gov.za or visit the City of Cape Town’s Have Your Say page.
