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GENERIC STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH STEP THREE

It is particularly important to validate the existing locations of the service points of your department
before you embark on the study. Up-to-date and reliable facility data is required to support planners
to apply access standards and to plan for new facilities based on empirical data. There are various
methods that you can use to ensure that your datasets are complete, accurate and up-to-date before you
embark on the study. Keep in mind that these can be resource intensive and time-consuming.

You will be able to produce a range of accessibility statistics for the geographic areas that you have
selected for your analysis. Among others, these include the actual distances that people currently travel
along a movement network to reach their closest service points and the amount of people that each
facility has to deal with.

Accessibility modelling can also provide quantifiable information that can be used to support other
planning and decision-making processes in your department, including strategic planning, long term
infrastructure planning, HR planning and budgeting.

Keep in mind that the findings of accessibility studies are indicative only and are not cast in stone – there
are a number of factors that you should consider in making final decisions about where your service
points should be located. These are discussed in the guideline.

In identifying areas and places that should be prioritized for the location of service points, consideration
should be given to spatial planning frameworks of Government. These seek to align investment across
the three spheres in infrastructure for integrated human settlements, economic activity and the provision
of basic services.

Exact site locations for additional service points are not determined in accessibility modelling. Final
decisions on suitable sites for facilities should be based, among others, on the needs of communities,
proximity to public transport, the availability of suitable land and basic services infrastructure and the
impact on the physical environment.

Alternative solutions should be considered where the provision of additional service points or expansion
of existing facilities is not appropriate or affordable. These include ICT innovations and other service
access channels of your department that could improve access to services and information while
reducing the need for conventional service point infrastructure.

Additional reading material

Green, C. & Argue, T. 2016. Guidelines for the Differentiated Provision of Social Services in Rural Areas.

Commissioned by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. www.socialfacilityprovisiontoolkit.
co.za

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