Urban Citizenship: Plastic View and Melusi

Studio leaders: Dr Carin Combrinck, Mr Jason Oberholster (PhD candidate)

Plastic View (also known as Woodlane Village) informal settlement is situated in the east of Pretoria, in the midst of the most exclusive estates and land in Pretoria. The settlement has a population of between 8 000 and 10 000 people that live on 12 hectares of land within 1665 structures (Unit for Urban Citizenship, 2020). The first inhabitants lived in clusters scattered in the open landscape out of necessity in order to live where they work. Since partially formalising the settlement in 2009, the City of Tshwane has been providing potable water and latrines to the village (De Vos 2014:3).

Melusi informal settlement is situated in Pretoria West, in the City of Tshwane. It was established in 2008 in a mid- low income area and has experienced rapid growth since 2015. It can be separated into 3 distinct regions, with some areas being formally regulated by the municipality, receiving basic services such as water and electricity. (UP Honours, 2020)

The two settlements are an indicator of the vast imbalances and a systemic failure within our city, sitting silently on valuable land amongst extravagant residential estates. This studio is a collaboration between Honours, MProf and Chalmers Reality Studio and will focus on critical analysis of existing datasets and establishing fundamental human needs of the community in terms of socio-spatial justice. Continued engagement with the research partners will underpin the studio, so that the research outcomes may reflect the views and voices of this emerging urban society.