Refer to the Project Overview page for an overview of the project.
Also refer to the Downloads page of this website for more information and resources related to the upgrading of informal settlements.
An overview of the Upgrading of Informal Settlement Programme (UISP) process:
The Upgrading of Informal Settlement Programme (UISP) was introduced through the Breaking New Ground policy document in 2004 and aims to:
- Support upgrading on an area-wide basis;
- Maintain fragile community networks; and
- Minimise disruption and enhance community participation through a four-phased process.
The UISP is outlined in Part 3 of the National Housing Code. It is envisaged as an incremental process culminating in the full upgrading of settlements over time. Initial phases, however, involve the installation of interim services, as a short- to medium-term aim of the programme.
The upgrading process: phases of the UISP
The UISP Intervention Programme is being planned and implemented in 4 Stages. The Mossel Bay UISP Intervention is however currently to only focus on Stages 1 to 3. The objective of Stages 1- 3 is to develop formalised serviced sites with security of tenure for all registered beneficiaries and which will allow them to resettle on such sites with their informal structures. During Stage 3 the formalised serviced sites will be constructed to an enhanced level with each site getting a waterborne toilet cum wash trough and all the beneficiaries being provided with security of tenure: beneficiaries qualifying for a subsidy will get transfer and non-qualifying beneficiaries will be granted the right to regally occupy the allocated serviced sites. All UISP beneficiaries must in due course officially register to receive municipal services.
UISP Stage 4 in due course to focus on Housing Consolidation for qualifying beneficiaries and for those beneficiaries that can afford to build their own houses.
Implementation Stage 1: Initiation of UISP
In this stage the Municipality submitted a Project Initiation Report to the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements addressing the following: property details, scale and scope of the required interventions, strategic alignments to the various planning frameworks of the municipality (IDP, Housing Development Plan SDF, ETC.), sustainability criteria, environmental constraints and challenges, access to bulk and connector services, statutory processes required, community based participatory planning facilitation structures and processes, etc.
Based on this report the Mossel Bay Accelerated UISP has been officially supported by the Western Cape Department of Human settlements (WCDoHS) in terms of which funding has been released for a more detailed Feasibility Assessment Planning.
Implementation Stage 2.1: Interim access to shared basic services
During this upgrading intervention stage, the focus is on providing all the households residing in the informal settlements with shared access to basic interim services. This is being planned and undertaken in all 21 identified informal settlement areas for:
- Waterborne sanitation (1 toilet for 5 resident households)
- Potable water point (1 access point for 20 resident households)
- Access routes for emergency services
- Refuse removal access points
- Assistance to establish community based janitorial and basic repairs and maintenance monitoring
Implementation Stage 2.2: Feasibility Assessment and Planning
During this stage of the planned intervention the following feasibility/viability and sustainability aspects are investigated and assessed:
- Feasibility Base-line Planning Support: geotechnical investigations, land audit & cadastral assessments, land acquisition assessments, topographical surveys, slope analysis & GIS, flood-line studies and related base mapping, environmental applicability assessments and required resolutions, conceptual urban design and town planning, geo-tagging household surveys and social compacts, etc.
- Preliminary Engineering Assessments & Reporting: preliminary engineering designs (A grade Services) relative to conceptual town planning layouts, preliminary engineers motivations for land-rehabilitation, slope stabilisations, retaining walls/platforms, geotechnical cost variations, preliminary engineering assessment & cost estimates for bulk and connector services), formal municipal confirmation that bulk infrastructure will be provided/upgraded where required, electrification strategy & indicative implementation programming, preliminary design and cost estimates for temporary relocation accommodation facilities (TRA), etc.
- Preliminary Indicative Implementation Strategies: programming & feasibility assessment reporting, conceptual relocation strategy (including TRA facility requirements), in-migration monitoring and control strategies and action plans, provisional planning and implementation programming (including timelines and associated cash flows), institutional capacity confirmations and commitments, etc.
Based on a comprehensive Feasibility Assessment Report submitted and subsequently approved by the WCDoHS, funding for detailed Implementation Readiness Planning and Design Development is being released for the respective Implementation Phased of the UISP Intervention.
Implementation Stage 2.3: Construction Readiness
Construction Readiness for each of the development areas are reached when the following authorisations/approvals can be confirmed:
- Land acquisition & ownership confirmations
- Community based participatory planning as expressed in respective Social Compacts or Development Treaties linked to respective relocation strategies
- Municipal commitment in respect of required bulk services and electrification
- Formalised township establishment processes: environmental authorisations, planning approvals, registration of General Plans, registration of development areas with the NHBRC
- Detailed engineering design development & reporting
- Appropriate funding for the construction of the enhanced serviced sites/TRA Facilities, related project management, engineering and construction supervision as well as appropriate relocation assistance.
Implementation Stage 3: Construction of Enhanced Serviced Sites and TRA Facilities
This will be undertaken in strategically planned phases over the next 9 years, funding permitting. At this junction 11 such phases are envisaged.
Stage 4: Housing consolidation (not currently part of the Mossel Bay UISP intervention)
The fourth stage entails the finalisation of ownership registration (where appropriate) and house construction could take place for qualifying beneficiaries. Any outstanding social amenities, as agreed between the community and the municipality, could also be constructed during this final phase, depending on the availability of funding.
Refer to the rest of the pages on this website for more details regarding the project:
Guide to erf sizes and Densification:
Also refer to the Downloads page of this website for more information and resources related to the upgrading of informal settlements.
MB UISP 