Community participation in solid waste management in high-density low-income areas: the case of C-Section in Duncan Village

• Main Author: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of Fort Hare 2009
• Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Sewage disposal > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Low-income housing > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Social participation > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Conflict management > South Africa > Eastern Cape
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/261

Solid waste management in high density low-income areas is a problem that manifests itself in ubiquitous illegal dumpsites and unhealthy living environmental conditions. Community participation in solid waste management in Duncan Village, C-Section has been found to be part of the solution to this problem. This study investigates community participation in SWM at household level, community waste project level and at informal salvaging/scavenging level. The integration of community participation into existing Buffalo City Municipality waste management plans and the nature of the relationship between the different interest groups are investigated. This study employs qualitative research methods where interviews and participatory observations are used to investigate key objectives. The nature of the relationships between councillors, C-Section residents and the Buffalo City Municipality Departments are tenuous and fraught with conflicts. These conflicts emerge due to the lack of communication as well as due to the non-integration of the community interest groups‟ views and activities into solid waste management in C-Section. The study suggests that this lack of communication should be addressed and that integrated participation of all stakeholders must be encouraged for effective solid waste management in a high density low-income community.