An Appropriate Management Strategy for Informal Settlements in Mining Areas: The Case of Smashblock, Thabazimbi

This research report is about the appropriate management strategy for an informal settlement in a mining area, using the case of Smashblock, in the Thabazimbi local municipality situated in Limpopo province. The research seeks to understand the main problem of the rapid growth of unplanned informal settlements that results in poor living conditions for the residents. However, the key objective of the study is to understand the options for management.

The research comes up with an appropriate intervention and management strategy for this specific informal settlement. The research has:

• explored the nature and character of the community; 
• the role played by the Thabazimbi municipality, sector departments and mining companies or other entities;
• improvement, relocation and / or upgrading plan(s); 
• the engagement of the municipality, mining companies and other sector departments; and
• approaches to informal settlement improvement and management that are offered through national or local policy.

The research recommends interim improvements of Smashblock prior to full upgrading, e.g. about re-blocking, health and safety improvements, improved management or access to current water provision and sanitation.

This resource is part of the Mining Towns Collection kindly sponsored by the Municipal Capability and Partnership Programme. Abstract based on source.