Abstract
M.A. (Geography)
Fast growing urbanisation in South Africa has resulted in a shortage of housing. Therefore,
a programme of informal housing projects was undertaken. The planning of these informal
settlements was detrimental because it was done under crisis management. Informal housing
will develop over time to formal urban residence and must therefore be properly planned.
The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of Orange Farm as an informal
housing area. The goal was achieved by concentrating on certain physiographical (geology,
soil, relief, vegetation and climate) and human aspects. Certain physiographical and human
aspects were superimposed to establish areas suitable for informal settlement development.
The process was aided by using a Geographic Information System. The fmding of the study
was that no area in Orange Farm was suitable for informal settlement development. Areas
of more and less suitability were indicated according to the physiographical aspects. The
study stressed the role of the Government in addressing the problems of planning an informal
settlement. Proper informal settlement planning is necessary to assure that these settlements
can develop into healthy formal settlements with minimal cost and time. This research
proposes certain factors to be considered very carefully in the planning of informal
settlements, for ego detailed geological surveys, soil surveys, vegetation research,
climatological research and assessment of costs to supply the necessary services and
infrastructure. The above-mentioned factors must be taken into consideration, and therefore
be analysed, for each settlement as well as the demographical, economical and cultural
characteristics of the specific population group in the settlement.