Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design

Abstract

The rapid urbanisation in developing countries has led to sprawling informal settlements often lacking adequate infrastructure, services, and planning. Despite their resilience and adaptability, these communities are typically viewed through a deficit lens, highlighting challenges rather than innovative solutions. In South Africa’s informal settlements, the concept of urban interiority is often overlooked, creating a gap in understanding how these spaces function within the broader urban fabric. Current urban planning and policy frameworks predominantly adopt top-down approaches, neglecting the local ingenuity and resourcefulness inherent in these settlements. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach within the pragmatic paradigm, primarily focusing on qualitative methods to comprehend human behavior. Narrative analysis and action research were used for data collection, including gameplay during fieldwork, focus groups, semi-structured informal interviews, and questionnaires. Principles of Public Interest Design (PID) were applied to engage directly with community members, ensuring their voices and experiences were integral to the research process. The Human Scale Development (HSD) matrix identified fundamental human needs such as subsistence, protection, participation, and affection. The concept of Urban Interiority (UI) was explored to understand how residents creatively adapt and transform their living spaces to foster social bonds and enhance their quality of life. The findings reveal that the residents of Melusi engage in dynamic and innovative practices to adapt their living environments, demonstrating a profound understanding of urban interiority. The study highlights the significance of inclusive and participatory design approaches, showcasing how adaptive reuse of spaces and economic empowerment contribute to long-term community resilience and sustainability. This study concludes that urban interiority within informal settlements strongly exists and that it fosters community resilience, adaptability, and social cohesion. It calls for a shift from top-down approaches to inclusive methodologies that recognise and value the contributions of informal settlements to the broader urban fabric.