Paper short abstract:

This research unpacks the state-citizen relationship in South Africa by examining how and when residents of a low-income settlement want to be involved in the development of their area. It exposes “conflicting rationalities” between the people’s perspective of participation and existing approaches.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores people’s perspectives of public participation in local infrastructure provision, combining insights from a survey and qualitative interviews with residents of Bramfischerville, a low-income residential area in Soweto, Johannesburg. It unpacks the state-citizen relationship by examining how and when people want to be involved in the development of their area.

Preliminary results indicate that people show overall strong support for (state-led) participation in local infrastructure provision. Yet, findings also show that residents of Bramfischerville largely feel disillusioned and neglected by the state, as they face many economic, social and infrastructural challenges. Rather than being involved in planning (as envisaged by the state), people express a preference for contributing to local development through physical – and paid – labour. Thereby opportunities for local employment and skills development are also portrayed as a way of feeling ‘seen’ by the state, and as a way of making an active contribution to the improvement of their areas. This exposes “conflicting rationalities” between the people’s perspective of participation and existing approaches. Unpacking the link between local (infrastructural) development, economic opportunities and the citizen-state relationship further, this research argues that in a context of high levels of unemployment and economic deprivation, opportunities for paid labour and skills development should be considered as a link between public participation and local infrastructure provision. It should furthermore be recognised as a key element that shapes people’s relationship with the state on the ground and as an approach that can contribute to more sustainable and just urban futures.