Proposed planning procedure for Soweto

Abstract

The significance and importance of Soweto in the national context is such that it is necessary for early and detailed consideration to be given to the most appropriate procedure to be adopted for the planning of the area. Such consideration must take place prior to the commencement of planning work, since the adopted pro­cedure will serve to determine the scope and depth of the study. With reference to Soweto, it should be stressed that partial or superficial procedures will be inadequate and that a comprehensive approach will be necessary. This approach is demanding in terms of resources and is time consuming, but is considered essential in order to ensure that an appropriate framework is provided for on­going decision making and development. The intention of this document is to examine briefly and assess the planning procedure to be adopted for Soweto. Current planning practice in South Africa is essentially centred in the development of "Master Plans", which are considered to be inappropriate for planning in Soweto. This report, therefore, examines both the Master Planning and Comprehensive Planning Procedure in outline and the application of the latter to Soweto.