An overview of top-down vs. bottom-up models for informal settlement upgrading in South Africa

The paper explores informal settlement upgrading approaches in South Africa and presents a review of top-down vs. bottom-up models, using experience and lessons learned from the Durban metropolitan area. Reflections on past upgrading efforts suggest that top-down policies in South Africa have not been successful to date. By contrast, participatory techniques, such as planning activism, can be used to enhance community empowerment and a sense of local ownership. This paper reveals that although the notion of ‘bottom-up’, participatory methods for community improvement is often discussed in international development discourses, the tools, processes and new knowledge needed to ensure a successful upgrade are under-utilised. Participation and collaboration can mean various things for informal housing upgrading and often the involvement of local communities is limited to providing feedback in already agreed development decisions from local authorities and construction companies. The paper concludes by suggesting directions for ‘co-producing’ knowledge with communities through participatory, action-research methods and integrating these insights into upgrading mechanisms and policies for housing and infrastructure provision. The cumulative impacts emerging from these approaches could aggregate into local, regional, and national environmental, social and economic benefits able to successfully transform urban areas and ensure self-reliance for local populations.

The conquest of the continent, by Hugh Latimer Burleson

http://www.archive.org/details/conquestofcontin00burluoft

The why and how of foreign missions.

http://www.archive.org/details/whyandhowofforei014010mbp

China.

http://www.archive.org/details/handbooksonmissi01episuoft

The Colorado mission / by the Rt. Rev. J.F. Spalding.

http://www.archive.org/details/coloradomission02spalrich

Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Chapman College Chapel, once Trinity Episcopal Church, Orange, California, The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Chapman College Chapel, once Trinity Episcopal Church, Orange, California, The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Whitsunday inside Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Whitsunday service inside Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California. The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909 for the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Sign, Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Four people posing by the sign board for Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California. A Catholic mass is scheduled. The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909 for the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Interior of Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Interior of Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California. The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909 for the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Worship Black America, Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Worship Black Amercia group, Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California, November 26, 1968. The wooden-shingled church, originally constructed in 1909 for the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.

Rededication of Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California

Rededication of Chapman College Chapel, Orange, California, February, 1978. Don Broth and Dennis Short are walking in the aisle. Edie Chapman is at front left. Beverly Kamp is in the third pew on the right, with Arthur and Alice Flint in row behind. The wooden-shingled church, constructed in 1909 for the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, is located on the northeast corner of East Maple Avenue and North Grand Street. Chapman College (now Chapman University) purchased the church for their chapel when the congregation moved to a new church on Canal Street.