Background Research

Prior to leaving for Cape Town in October, the two student groups – the social development team and the infrastructure team – spent seven weeks researching how to facilitate an upgrading process in the context of an informal settlement. While the social development team focused on community engagement and facilitating networks among stake holders, the infrastructure team focused on how to physically improve the living situation in an informal settlement. Bringing these two backgrounds together in the on-site implementation phase, a better well-rounded approach to upgrading could be attained.