Introduction to the Incremental Settlement Website

The incremental settlement website is divided into 'static' and 'dynamic' web pages.

• The static web pages provide an overview of MLS and what can be found on this website. Example of static web pages are The MLS Story and Teach MLS.
• The dynamic webpage's and Wiki provide more detail on what MLS is all about. In them you are able to delve deeper into various aspects on MLS ranging from (tenure), (services), (housing) to (savings). These pages are dynamic as it's up to administrators of the website to keep them updated and relevant. They will be updated and changed over time.

The wiki pages of the website have been broken into the following categories corresponding to the 5 stages of a MLS process.

• Bulk preparation: Government and communities work together to identify and obtain land on which incremental settlement can occur. The necessary feasibility studies, bulk servicing programmes and land acquisition programmes are put in place and implemented so as to get the land ready for incremental settlement.
• Basic product: Government (and/or households and other private and civil society organisations) provide some form of basic services and tenure recognition, like a recognition of occupation certificate (not necessarily individual title deeds), so households have tenure security and some form of basic services.
• Aided self development: Households use their own resources, with some form of assistance from government and others where possible, to build their own houses.
• Upgrading: Government provides further subsidies to help those who are unable, due to economic and other circumstances, to upgrade their houses, tenure and services.
• Maintenance and improvement: Households continue to maintain their houses and immediate environments over time; and government (and other role-players) maintain and improve the public spaces, facilities and services provided. This maintenance and improvement stage actually starts right from when households move onto the land and continues forever.

Those readers that have permission, are able to contribute to the editing and expansion of these Wiki pages. If you would like to have editing rights please contact the administrator of the wiki - lashiola@afesis.org.za.

A hypothetical story of a community that has followed the MLS process is told in the MLS story. This story is summarised in the MLS in pictures section.

Download the following table of an overview of the MLS hypothetical case study story. It is being edited and a summary produced.

This website is mainly an education al website, designed to build understanding of what MLS is all about. On this website you can:

• Learn about MLS : explore the wiki pages to find out more about MLS
• Share information on MLS: send the administrator information and links you feel may be useful for others to know about.
• Improve our common understanding of MLS: become a registered contributor towards editing and improving the wiki pages.
• Informing others: send e-mails to others who you feel may be interested in this website.

If you would like to join others that are campaigning for MLS visit the LANDfirst website.