Introduction

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Introduction

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Why is planning necessary
Planning is the process of setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and schedules to accomplish the goals. “Urban planning (urban, city, and town planning) is a technical and political process concerned with the control of the use of land and design of the urban environment, including transportation networks, to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities. It concerns itself with research and analysis, strategic thinking, architecture, urban design, public consultation, policy recommendations, implementation and management. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_planning

The simplified definition of planning is the intentional arrangement or management of the spatial environment with a view to producing order out of what would otherwise be chaos. How the particular order of the spatial environment is obtained and the tools that are used, constitute the science of town and regional planning.

In other words, in order to ensure that a potentially chaotic human settlement situation is rationally and effectively handled to create an optimal outcome, it is necessary to plan.

Planning effectively requires the input of all relevant interested and affected stakeholders and then a co-ordinated approach to deal with the issues and concerns that are raised.

Spatial planning requires a step by step approach in order to ensure a balanced environment.

Scales of planning
Planning in South Africa operates within a legal framework. The purpose of the legal framework is to ensure that municipalities carry out planning in terms of Sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution. These planning objectives must be developmentally orientated to strike a balance between various and often competing social, economic and environmental interests and the interests of the public. Development must also be sustainable – capable of being continued with minimal long term impact on the environment, so as to allow future generations to be able to continue living off available resources in an area.

It is important to note that, over and above the stipulation in the Constitution relating to Municipal Planning, planning is in fact done at 3 levels, viz. national, provincial and municipal.


 * National planning is the responsibility of the Office of the Presidency and encompasses strategies and policies for the country as a whole. It therefore makes proposals at a broad and strategic level.


 * Provincial planning is province specific and is based on the policies and principles formulated at the national level. Each province can plan for the unique circumstances of its area.


 * Municipal planning is the most detailed level of planning as it deals with all planning aspects at a district and local municipal level.

The Constitution of RSA stipulates that certain functions of Government are reserved to municipalities in terms of Section 156 (1) read together with Part B of Schedule 4. In this regard, Municipal Planning is listed as a functional area in Part B of Schedule 4, in terms of which municipalities have both executive authority and a right to administer to the extent set out in Section 155. There is no precise definition of exactly what aspects of planning are included under the term municipal Planning. The Constitutional Court in a judgement given in June 2010 stated that“… the term [municipal planning] is not defined in the Constitution. But “planning” in the context of municipal affairs is a term which has assumed a particular, well-established meaning which includes the zoning of land and the establishment of townships. In that context,the term is commonly used to define the control and regulation of the use of land.”

Why must a community participate in planning
Reasons why a community should participate in municipal planning include:

Planning Ordinances, which are discussed in more detail later.
 * A wide range of views from a broad spectrum of interested and affected parties, including the local community, will assist in the formulation of plans which are people-centred and participatory
 * Participation by a community would do away with the feeling that planning decisions are being imposed on communities against their wishes
 * Participation by community members is a legislated requirement in the process of formulation of plans and in the process of amendment of plans or zoning scheme. Relevant legislation includes Chapter 4 of the Municipal Systems Act and provincial Land Use

In terms of the prevailing legal framework governing Municipal Planning, the rights and responsibilities of land owners and the protection of the public interest are governed through a well-defined process. Municipal Councillors must administer this land use management process responsibly and effectively within the confines of the law.

In short, communities (civil society organisations and individuals) should become involved in the planning process in order to ensure that their input is taken into consideration in the formulation of plans.

In addition, once plans have been formulated, communities should monitor and keep track of the implementation processes to ensure that planning is undertaken according to approved plans.

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