Eco-Villages: discussion

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
30 October 2002
ECO-VILLAGES: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents Handed Out:
Eco-villages for Economic Viability and Sustainability in Rural Renewal
Financial Statements for Housing Department

SUMMARY
The Committee had been briefed previously on the concept of eco-villages by Inter-Afrika Plan, a town planning group. This was a new concept, said to be a good solution for addressing service delivery problems in the rural areas of the country. The Committee considered the presentation and agreed to support the concept of eco-villages but decided to leave the naming of these villages to beneficiaries of the rural housing development programme.

MINUTES
In the previous meeting of the Committee, Mr Anthony Trowbridge: Inter Afrika Plan town planning group, conducted a presentation on the issue of eco-villages. He pointed out that eco-villages were good for economic viability and economic sustainability in rural development initiatives. He noted that in terms of housing provision, South Africa was far behind developed countries.

The Committee discussed the presentation made by Mr Anthony Trowbridge on the eco-villages. The Committee agreed on the concept of eco-villages but decided to leave the naming of these villages to beneficiaries of the rural housing development programme. The Committee agreed that the integrated rural development strategy required a holistic approach by all related Departments. The Committee would hold a workshop in 2003 to discuss housing issues, including the role played by various Departments in rural development. The workshop would also design a programme around Agenda 21 emerging from the Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Discussion
Ms Kota informed Members that she had received a letter of thanks from Mr Trowbridge indicating his willingness to work further with the Committee on eco-villages. Mr Trowbridge suggested the name of "Smart-Villages" for the new rural housing structures being built.

A Member was of the view that the process of naming the villages should be left to beneficiaries to decide for themselves.

Mr Montsitsi (ANC) added that eco-villages was a concept in line with integrated rural development strategy. However, he emphasised that rural development must be accompanied by job creation to ensure the sustainability of these communities. Further he suggested that the Minister of Housing and other relevant stakeholders be consulted in order to develop an appropriate model for rural development.

A Member suggested that relevant government Departments must be encouraged to visit rural communities in order to establish the needs of the communities. The naming of these villages must be left to the beneficiaries of the People's Housing Project [PHP].

Mr Schneemann (ANC) suggested that Departments such as Health, Transport and Agriculture be summoned to brief the Committee on their involvement in integrated rural development programmes.

Ms Ratsoma (ANC) requested that the Department of Education also be engaged on the issue of rural development. She was concerned about the dilapidated state of schools in the rural communities.

Mr Herandien (NNP) suggested that emerging black farmers be consulted and informed of the integrated rural development strategy. The eco-villages should be linked to the sustainability of housing in rural areas through job creation. Therefore the Labour Department could also be involved in this regard. The creation of jobs in rural areas could also curb the rapid influx of people into urban areas.

The Chair indicated that an inter-governmental approach was necessary to ensure food security and sustainable rural development. The Departments of Health, Transport, Education and Agriculture must also be involved in the reconstruction of rural communities. She accepted the suggestion by Members to call upon the aforesaid government Departments.

The meeting was adjourned.