Abstract
Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a pressing global issue linked to urbanisation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. In many developing countries, including South Africa, ineffective SWM practices are compounded by land use policies, spatial fragmentation and community behaviours, which hinder the development of sustainable waste infrastructure. This study investigates the influence of land-use regulations, settlement patterns, and socio-behavioural factors on SWM practices in Nkululekweni, located within the underserved urban context of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality in South Africa. Employing an interdisciplinary methodology that combines qualitative content analysis of documents such as policy documents and case studies from similar context with spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the research identifies key institutional and spatial constraints that hinder the development of effective waste management systems. The study further explores community disposal behaviours and the role of informal waste pickers, emphasising the importance of inclusive urban planning strategies. The findings suggest that adaptive approaches such as micro-zoning, decentralised collection points and formalisation of informal waste actors can improve service delivery and environmental health outcomes. The study recommends that policymakers adopt flexible land use frameworks, strengthen land tenure security, and promote community-based waste management initiatives to foster resilient, inclusive and sustainable waste systems in Nkululekweni and similar informal settlements. Importantly, this research underscores the critical role of spatially sensitive and community-inclusive planning in addressing environmental and infrastructural challenges, thus contributing valuable insights to the urban planning discipline. Overall, this research contributes to understanding how spatial and institutional factors influence SWM practices and offers practical strategies for integrating community participation into urban waste management solutions.