DETERMINANTS OF URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN REGIONS D AND G OF JOHANNESBURG GAUTENG PROVINCE

Abstract

This study explores the factors driving informal settlement growth in Region D and G of Johannesburg Gauteng Province . Informal settlements, which are a pressing and persistent issue in South Africa, are called shantytowns and squatter camps. The rapid increase in the number of households residing in these areas underscores the urgent need to understand the factors driving their growth. Adequate housing, a fundamental human need, is a cornerstone of individual and societal security. It fosters health, education and learning, environmental stability, social integration, community cohesion, privacy, and dignity. The Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 underscores the criticality of sustainable human settlement development. Key aspects to be examined include age, gender, marital status, level of education, employment status, and household size. The logistic regression is employed to analyse the household characteristics that predict the probability of informal settlements. The study adopts a quantitative approach, utilising a questionnaire to gather data from townships in Johannesburg. The study's findings highlight the impact of duration, education, gender, age, employment status, and marital status on the growth of informal settlements in Johannesburg. The study suggests that a well-defined town planning and management framework, with the active involvement of urban planners and policymakers, could significantly improve the lives of individuals in these areas by enabling proper infrastructure development. Based on empirical evidence, these recommendations underscore the crucial role of urban planners and policymakers in shaping policy and practice to address the issue of informal settlements, offering a promising path forward and significantly impacting the lives of those in these areas.