Programme overview
The HIV/AIDS in the City programme seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the factors in particular urban localities, specifically urban informal settlements that contribute to the spread of HIV and that influence the coping capabilities of individuals, communities and local government institutions when affected by HIV/AIDS. Poverty, inequality, inadequate shelter, overcrowding and other symptoms of underdevelopment are fundamental drivers in increasing the risk of HIV infection. These factors also affect the ability of individuals, households and communities to cope with the subsequent health and socio-economic effects of infection.
The notion of sustainable and integrated human settlements provides a useful lens to further unpack the developmental dimensions and implications of HIV/AIDS, and to strategically locate HIV/AIDS responses at the centre of development.
Because of its mandate and responsibilities to provide democratic and accountable government, ensure sustainable service provision, promote social and economic development, promote a safe and healthy environment and enhance community involvement local government is a key role player. Local government is also responsible for overcoming and addressing the fragmented and divided apartheid city by contributing to the development of sustainable and integrated human settlements.
Programme objectives
- To engage in policy research and advocacy to ensure an effective response to HIV/AIDS in urban planning and development that engages with the developmental dimensions of the epidemic;
- To support local government in mainstreaming HIV/AIDS, with particular reference to sustainable human settlements planning, development and management;
- To facilitate and maintain networks and partnerships with relevant organisations and individuals;
- To raise awareness on the developmental dimensions and implications of HIV/AIDS among urban planning professionals and the general public.
Programme activities
- The HIV/AIDS in the City programme is currently involved in a project with the Housing and Land Department of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape. The project is aimed at using the Isandla Institute Guide on HIV/AIDS and Sustainable Human Settlements to assist officials in the Housing and Land Department to understand the links between HIV/AIDS and people's living conditions. It also explores the extent to which the upgrading of informal settlements can have an ameliorative impact on HIV/AIDS. This process will be completed in July and will culminate in a report of the process and engagement that will be disseminated for broader learning amongst municipalities, built environment professionals and policy makers.
Isandla Institute is available to assist local, provincial and national departments to develop policy on HIV/AIDS and human settlements. Workshops and stakeholder dialogues are also available on request.
Programme Highlights
Coming to grips with informality and HIV/AIDS through
innovative settlement planning and design. On 12-13 May 2010 Isandla Institute hosted a very
successful seminar that profiled innovative initiatives in settlement planning
and design which seek to respond to the current development imperatives in
South Africa. The seminar was also the occasion for an introduction to the
findings of a recent pilot project in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which
combined a visioning/scenarios exercise with an assessment of the metro's
current human settlements response. The seminar brought together policy makers
and built environment practitioners, both within government and the private
sector, to share innovation and lessons around settlement planning and
development. This included site visits to two innovative settlement development
programmes in Cape Town (Urban Matters in Phillipi and the Violence Prevention
through Urban Upgrading Programme in Khayelitsha). A seminar report will be
available shortly so watch this space!!
HIV/AIDS and Local Government Learning Network
Isandla Institute is the current secretariat for this network which was initiated in 2006. Over the past two years Halogen has developed a number of municipal briefs aimed at assisting municipalities to respond to HIV/AIDS at the local level. All municipal briefs as well as presentations and annual reports of Halogen activities area available at www.halogen.org.za. For more information on Halogen contact Isandla Institute on +27 21 683 7903.
