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the evolution of informal settlements, as part of an overall urbanization process. Various
factors including population influx and economic conditions will influence the speed of
transition from one category to another, in any given geographic area. A broad distinction
can be drawn between informal settlements which are mainly rural-orientated and those
which are largely urban-orientated (Haarhoff, 1984)*. A significant proportion of the
population in the Durban Functional Region live in urban informal settlements, with
consequent needs inter alia for improved water supplies, sanitation and solid waste
removal. Protected springs and boreholes with handpumps are probably the best interim
method of upgrading water supplies in the traditional. betterment and modernising rural
settlements (depending on population density). Reticulated water systems however, as
well as VIP toilets or other appropriate sanitation systems are required in the more densely
settled, urban-orientated communities.
A typology of social circumstances in the large informal urban fringe surrounding Durban
is outlined in Table L15. The table provides some background for a more detailed
understanding of the problems involved in the provision of infrastructure in major
metropolitan areas. It is possible for example that agreements for the supply say, of
reticulated water, to an area consisting mainly of newly arrived workseekers from the rural
areas (category 8), could be fraught with difficulties. (The workseekers may not
necessarily be familiar with the concept of regular payments for improved water supplies).
Much would depend on the degree of co-operation received from landlords/tenants. Other
difficulties can include a rapidly increasing population and accordingly, water demand (and
hence design) problems. Similarly problematic is the need for improved sanitation - where
population densities may be higher than at first envisaged - resulting in an overload on
systems including VIP toilets. (The capacity of the VIP pits may soon be exceeded,
especially in shallow Mispah soils) * *. In essence, considerable foresight as well as
accurate demographic data is necessary for the proper planning and installation of efficient
services in urban areas. "Learning curves" for both suppliers and consumers of services
are still required, although several important lessons were derived in the years of the
KwaZulu/Natal Planning Council and subsequently the RSA-KwaZulu Development Project.
*
**
See Haarhoff, E.J., 1984. A spatial analysis of African urbanization and informal settlement in
NatallKwaZulu, Ph.D. Thesis, Department ofTown and Regional Planning, University of Natal, Durban,
312p. + app.
The various types of soils in South Africa are discussed in the chapter on soils and soil erosion,
elsewhere in this publication.