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proactive and deliberate. The absence of specific urban regeneration strategies in comprehensive frameworks like the IDP and SDF creates a gap in effectively tackling the distinct issues associated with urban decline and revitalisation. The findings of this study align with the argument of Smit and Parnell (2014), who contend that the urban policy framework established after apartheid has faced challenges in effectively tackling the spatial disparities deeply rooted in apartheid.
Insufficient emphasis on a specific urban revitalisation strategy in the Free State exacerbates the gap between national urban planning and local government implementation. The necessity of a unified urban policy that corresponds to the specific requirements and conditions of the local area is crucial for achieving sustainable urban development (Ruhiiga 2014).
This study emphasises the primary challenges in executing social housing policies, which play a vital role in promoting urban revitalisation and attaining the SDGs, namely SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The implementation gaps shown in this study are consistent with evidence from prior research, indicating that South Africa’s housing policies are frequently impeded by bureaucratic inefficiencies, financial limitations, and a lack of cooperation among various government levels (Tomlinson 2015).
Furthermore, the findings of the study align with the observations made by Harrison et al. (2021), who highlight that the efficacy of social housing programmes is frequently compromised by the challenge of reconciling social progress with economic progress. Inadequate contractor performance and strained relationships between municipalities and private entities are among the underlying systemic problems within the policy environment that contribute to the lack of successful implementation.
Given the anticipated population increase in the Free State, especially in metropolitan regions such as the Mangaung Metro Municipality, it is crucial to tackle the housing backlog promptly and prevent the proliferation of informal settlements. Insufficient development efforts and the growing demand for social housing underscore the need for creative strategies to address housing requirements (CSIR 2021).
This result aligns with the research conducted by Turok and Visagie (2021), which highlights the significance of social housing in facilitating urban integration and enhancing the availability of employment opportunities
and public services. Nevertheless, the failure to satisfy the increasing need for social housing, manifested by the extensive waiting lists and inadequate constructions, highlights a more extensive issue in municipal administration. It is not exclusive to the Free State, but rather a widespread problem throughout South Africa, where the fast growth of urban areas has exceeded the ability of local governments to offer sufficient housing (Charlton 2018).
The research revealed that the Mangaung Metro Municipality, which is classified as one of the least successful metropolitan municipalities in South Africa, encounters substantial difficulties in producing social housing due to capacity constraints. This result is consistent with the existing body of knowledge on municipal performance, which emphasises the crucial significance of local government ability in influencing the effectiveness of housing projects (Pieterse 2020). Additionally, the Governance Performance Index (2021) emphasises the influence of land degradation and other environmental elements on the provision of housing, adding complexity to the task of satisfying housing needs.
The study’s results indicate that capacity problems are not just related to operations or administration but are also affected by external criteria such as financial limitations and decisions made by the national government. This assertion is substantiated by the research conducted by Berrisford (2015), who contends that the ability of local governments to provide housing is frequently compromised by insufficient financial resources and excessively intricate regulatory frameworks.
A crucial concern highlighted in this study is the lack of coordination among national, provincial, and local government planning and policy execution. Inadequate coordination among different sectors of government has detrimental consequences for urban development, since it results in inefficiencies and overlooked chances for harmonisation in policy objectives and tactics.
The aforementioned discovery aligns with the study conducted by Van Donk and Pieterse (2014), who contend that the division of planning and decision- making procedures among several tiers of government considerably hinders the achievement of efficient urban governance in South Africa. The favourable consequences of social housing initiatives, such as enhancements in the surrounding environment and heightened economic activity, illustrate the possible advantages of harmonising national and local objectives. Nevertheless, in the absence of improved coordination and alignment, it is improbable that these advantages will be completely achieved.
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