|
Being able to converse with fellow South Africans in 10 official languages – including Sign language - holds a major advantage for CSIR social researcher Gerty (Gertrude) Matsebe.
She has built up extensive knowledge in the fields of housing, water supply and sanitation, as well as the special needs of vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and the elderly.
Since joining CSIR Built Environment nine years ago, she has been involved in various multidisciplinary research projects relating to the creation of sustainable human settlements.
Medium-density mixed housing
“Due to former apartheid policies, many communities are housed on the outskirts of cities, far away from their places of work and without appropriate facilities for basic needs such as education and health. In a three-year initiative, we looked at medium-density, mixed-housing development within the context of changing the nature of South African cities and contributing to sustainable human settlement,” says Gerty.
Such housing developments are advocated in the Department of Human Settlement's plan referred to as 'Breaking New Ground'. The objective is for new housing developments to have a greater mix as well as a higher density than is currently the case.
“In general, South Africa has a culture of low-density housing and spatial separation of different income groups. Our research considered whether people would accept a greater social and spatial mix within one housing development, against the backdrop of the insecurities regarding issues such as crime levels and property prices,” she explains.
Medium-density housing includes a minimum of 50 dwelling units per hectare (du/ha) and a maximum of 125 du/ha. Buildings are not more than three to four storeys high and have private external spaces such as balconies, patios or small private gardens.
Mixed housing refers to developments that have a mix of building or unit types, tenure forms (ownership, rent-to-buy or rental units), income groups (affordable housing and market-rate housing in the same development) and a mix of land uses (residential, commercial, public open space and business). “All these characteristics promote integration and facilitate some social and spatial mix within a housing development,” comments Gerty.
Gerty and her colleagues started with an international and a South African-specific review of medium-density mixed housing and perceptions around this concept. To assess the local situation, the team did two pilot case studies in Newtown and Fordsburg in Johannesburg's inner city. The CSIR then conducted five additional case studies, namely in Buffalo City Municipality, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, Sol Plaatjie Municipality and two case studies in the City of Johannesburg. The team looked at spatial and social factors, as well as the viewpoints of different groups of stakeholders.
A sample of residents completed structured questionnaires during a household survey on the critical success factors and their viewpoints. “We then interviewed other stakeholders, including housing officials from the local authorities, developers or housing development agencies and financiers. In this way we obtained both qualitative and quantitative data on critical success factors for medium-density, mixed-housing developments. The data obtained included feedback on positive perceptions; affordability; design and layout; safety and security; and neighbourliness.”
"One should consider carefully what to introduce to housing areas - different kind of mixes will work for different areas and different resident groups. In South Africa, medium-density developments are already happening, while mixed housing is still in its infancy,” explains Gerty.
The research team has been compiling a report detailing the seven case studies, and will provide broad guidelines on what will work in different settings, as well as implications that should be considered. “We envisage that housing officials and developers would find the data very valuable in creating new medium-density, mixed-housing areas. It is planned to include our findings as a chapter in the next edition of the Guidelines for Human Settlement, commonly referred to as the Red Book.”
Other research interests
The first project that Gerty was involved with at the CSIR was a Department for International Development (DFID)-funded research project. It was aimed at reducing barriers to create enabled environments for people with disabilities in low-income urban settlements. In two Special Integrated Presidential Projects, Gerty and her colleagues conducted research in the Molopo River Basin and in Kathorus for the national and provincial departments of Housing. “We evaluated the state of housing, education, water and sanitation infrastructure, and the general welfare of residents of these areas.”
As part of a sanitation research project, urine diversion technology and the perceptions of users on such technology were investigated in four case studies. “We considered the community’s response to the ‘closed loop’ concept, with human excreta being used as fertiliser for vegetable gardens. At the time, urine diversion technology was installed in more than 60 000 homes in three provinces. Users of urine diversion toilets were expected to empty the faecal matter of toilets in vegetable gardens. However, the practice proved to be unacceptable, as it was a big taboo in the community to handle human excreta. People also had the perception that it was a technology for the poor – no high-profile role models were using this technology and everyone wanted waterborne flush toilets.”
Before joining the CSIR, Gerty was involved in extensive community development and research projects in various non-government organisations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, the Deaf Federation of South Africa and the Suid Afrikaanse Vrouefederasie. She is also a trained HIV/Aids educator and counsellor..
Community interaction
Commenting on the community interaction that her research demands, she says
it is absolutely crucial to involve communities from the outset when new technology is being considered. “Perception and acceptability studies must precede any implementation planning. Engagement with the local community is key to ensure no ‘dumping’ of technology onto prospective users is perceived.
“One also has to be sensitive, for example, to the cultural differences in the various ethnic groups and religions. In some instances, I have to take area-specific dynamics into account, adhering to the behaviour seen as signs of respect – these include dress code and the appropriate use of eye contact with heads of communities,” Gerty notes.
“My housing, water supply and sanitation research took me to many rural areas - I really enjoy undertaking field trips and interacting with communities with the aim of empowering them. At one stage, when one of my two children was still a baby, I used to take him and his nanny along on close-by field trips,” she remembers.
Studies and future
“My future research interest will centre on obtaining an understanding of the municipal sector and service delivery. As a research organisation that receives public funding, we have to include responding to pressing national needs on our research agenda,” says Gertie.
She is currently in her second year of three years’ studies for an MSc in Development Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She plans to write her thesis on housing and environmental issues. Gerty holds an Honour’s degree in Social Work from the University of Limpopo, and has completed a course in Housing Policy Development and Management at Wits.
She has authored and co-authored 35 research reports and journal articles, and has presented her research findings at five conferences. “As part of its human capital development initiatives, the CSIR offers many opportunities for further studies and obtaining experience. Acquiring additional qualifications depends strongly on your attitude and commitment. My advice to emerging researchers is to select a mentor who has made his or her mark internationally. Also use opportunities to get exposure in terms of publications and conference presentations, and be receptive to learning,” she concludes.
CSIR Communication:
Mzimasi Gcukumana, email: Hilda Van Rooyen
|
