Physical planning and community involvement: An experiment in the use of participation techniques in Mangaung, Bloemfontein

Abstract

The purpose of city planning is to improve the quality of life of people. Planning therefore focuses on people and it is therefore logical that planning should be based normatively on the active participation of diverse groups in a society. The Urban Foundation, developers of a new extension of the black town of MANGAUNG in Bloemfontein, felt that the community of MANGAUNG should be consulted in the city planning process before planning the township. The National Institute for Personnel Research of the CSIR has been appointed to develop procedures to achieve this goal. Simulations and models were used to determine various planning alternatives. The models are exhibited at various places in MANGAUNG where residents usually contract. Respondents were asked to investigate the models and express their opinion on this. These opinions are based on a structured questionnaire. The results of the study can be summarized as follows: The study has shown that the communities can be successfully involved in the planning process if appropriate participation techniques are used. Various themes containing attitudes and preferences of respondents have emerged in this study. Most of these imply implications for the design and implementation of new layouts.This study should be seen in the context of MANGAUNG and does not normally apply to other communities.