Abstract
Municipal infrastructure is critical in facilitating economic development and the well-being of citizens, yet most municipalities in Gauteng face serious maintenance challenges to ensure its operability. This mini-dissertation explores the efficiency of municipal infrastructure maintenance by reviewing the cost-benefit analysis of different approaches to address resource allocation, regulatory compliance, workforce training, and the adoption of technologies. Prevalent challenges were identified, and the effectiveness of the maintenance strategies was evaluated through a structured survey administered to municipal maintenance experts. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis gathered through snowball sampling, and reliability testing through Cronbach's Alpha was performed to attain reliable and consistent results.
The findings showed that resource allocation and budgeting represent the highest-ranked challenges, followed by workforce training and compliance with regulations. Among the strategies evaluated, predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance, and integration of IoT technologies that are an enabler to enhance maintenance strategies stood out as superior strategies. This study concluded that strategic financial planning and proactive maintenance practices would minimize operational inefficiencies and extend the life span of municipal assets. Finally, based on the findings, a framework is proposed to guide municipalities in addressing the challenges of maintenance, optimising resource utilization, and ensuring sustainable service delivery. The presented work contributes to the wider discussion of the management of public infrastructure in developing regions and points out actionable solutions to enhance municipal resilience and efficiency.