Urban Citizenship: Human Scale Development in Melusi

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

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 increasing number of informal 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 NRF-SAASTA Co-creating Wellness Research Project and will focus on the 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.