Historic deal aims to transform informal settlements

CAPE Town homeowners are watching a major shift unfold. The City has signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement with Urban Think Tank Empowerment (UTTE) to roll out a large-scale, community-led upgrade of informal settlements.

- STAFF REPORTER

The first pilot will focus on BTT Section and Vukani in Site C, Khayelit-sha. It’s the start of a three-phase pro-gramme expected to improve living conditions for more than 5000 households.

“What is happening here is really special, and the pilot project in BTT Section and Vukani informal settlements in Site C Khayelitsha is just the beginning, as we plan to tackle the upgrading of identified informal settlements in other metro areas at scale. Spread over three phases, this innovative community-led upgrade programme is foreseen to improve the lives of more than 5000 households,” the City said.

The City says this approach aligns with its Human Settlements Strategy, which hinges on collaboration.