Planning and Social Housing in the context of spatial justice and right to the city in Alexandra Township, South Africa: 2001 TO 2016.
Authors:   , Mndze Siphumeze 
Published: February 2024

This study aims to investigate the manner in which social housing contributes to spatial justice and the right to the city. It shows that social housing does not create spatial justice and the right to the city, although it contributes to them. The study applies concepts such as spatial justice, social justice, integration and participation. The theories that are applied constitute critical theory, Rawls’ theory of justice, new urbanism and smart growth theory. The concepts and theories help in guiding the argument in terms of investigating the manner in which social housing contributes to spatial justice and the right to the city. A mixed-method approach was used as the research methodology and design. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted with social housing beneficiaries in Alexandra Township, which is in the City of Johannesburg in South Africa and was used as a case study. The research findings demonstrate that in Alexandra Township there has been a noticeable but limited contribution of social housing to spatial justice and the right to the city. Through construction of social housing apartments, people had access to shelter and services such as water, electricity, and sewerage, but many still do not have access to sustainable job opportunities. Additionally, there is no consistent access to services such as sewerage, water, and electricity, with frequent outages and blockages in water pipes and sewerage. The rate of crime is high, and people do not enjoy access to amenities and facilities because of fear of being attacked by criminals. The thesis recommends that for social housing to contribute to spatial justice and the right to the city, consultation and participation with the beneficiaries must be undertaken; there needs to be alignment of policy and legislation to facilitate the contribution of social housing to spatial justice and the right to the city; spatial inequality in the cities must be dealt with; and urban safety and security must be improved. This study contributes to academic discourse by providing perspectives about social housing in terms of spatial justice and the right to the city. The research provides notions about re-conceptualisation of social housing policy and legislation in terms of the ideas of spatial justice and the right to the city. Additionally, the study provides notions and a platform for the scrutinisation and discussion of social housing within the context of spatial justice and the right to the city. Finally, this study presents a framework for social housing in relation to spatial justice and the right to city. The framework outlines organised thinking and orientation about social housing regarding its contribution to spatial justice and the right to the city. This thesis argues that future research needs to adopt a broader contextual approach to investigate and understand the urban planning processes leading to limitations of social housing in contributing to spatial justice and the right to the city for beneficiaries. Such future research should utilise procedural planning theory because it deals with making and implementing plans. Additionally, a comparative study which may assist in investigating, analysing, and evaluating social housing in different cities must be undertaken to detect similarities and differences. This must occur to compare social housing in terms of contributing to spatial justice and the right to the city in various cities. This may assist to broaden the thinking and understanding of the way social housing contributes to spatial justice and the right to the city.