<
https://theconversation.com/south-african-floods-wreaked-havoc-because-people-are-forced-to-live-in-disaster-prone-areas-181309>
"Rapid urbanisation and government failure to deliver adequate housing are
among the driving forces behind the proliferation of informal settlements
across South African cities and towns. These informal settlements are notorious
for their perilous and unhealthy conditions.
This has been sharply illustrated in recent flooding in Ethekwini (Durban), the
port city in KwaZulu-Natal province, and its surrounding communities. The
catastrophic flooding has claimed hundreds of lives and countless families have
been displaced from their homes, worsening the dire housing problem many were
already in.
It’s difficult to provide adequate housing, primarily because there isn’t
enough suitable land in the right places. The unavailability of suitable land
for adequate housing is due to stunted progress in urban land reform. This, in
turn, is crippling the capacity of local governments to provide adequate
housing in areas that are not prone to disaster.
The result is that a quarter of South Africa’s urban population is living in
informal settlements. These are built wherever people find open spaces that are
nearer to economic opportunities. They lack basic amenities and infrastructure,
including proper roads and storm water drainage systems. This leaves their
residents most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and changing weather
patterns, such as floods."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
