Abstract
This study aims to critically examine the extent to which geotechnical engineering considerations are integrated into the planning and delivery of low-cost housing in South Africa, with specific emphasis on assessing land suitability within rapidly urbanising metropolitan contexts, using Palm Ridge Extension 9 in the City of Ekurhuleni as a case study. South Africa’s persistent housing backlog, driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and deep socio-economic inequalities, has resulted in housing developments being constructed on geotechnically marginal land. These raise pressing concerns regarding settlement safety, long-term sustainability, and spatial justice. Palm Ridge Ext. 9, underlain by dolomitic rocks of the Chuniespoort Group, presents complex subsurface conditions characterised by karst formations, subsurface voids, and a legacy of historic mining activity. These conditions exacerbate geotechnical risks such as sinkhole development, collapsible soils, and structural instability, rendering large portions of the area unsuitable for standard housing construction without mitigation. Despite these risks, numerous RDP housing units were constructed with minimal geotechnical assessment, resulting in structural defects, settlement cracking, and compromised durability. This case reflects broader systemic issues across South Africa, where political urgency to meet housing delivery targets often overrides the need for scientific and technical due diligence.
Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative exploratory case study approach. Key methods include the analysis of geospatial overlays of dolomitic risk zones and the critical review of engineering and planning reports, as outlined in Chapter 3. These approaches collectively informed the development of a Geotechnical Land Suitability Index (GLSI) based on parameters such as soil classification, groundwater dynamics, erosion susceptibility, and structural integrity thresholds. The findings highlight a persistent disconnect between planning policy and practical implementation, while legislative instruments such as the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and the National Housing Code call for sustainable, safe settlement development, their operationalisation remains inconsistent across municipalities. Moreover, the lack of standardised dolomitic risk zoning and inadequate enforcement of SANS 1936 standards amplifies vulnerabilities in state-led housing projects.
The study argues for the reconfiguration of housing delivery frameworks to systematically integrate geotechnical considerations at the earliest stages of land allocation and settlement...