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 for local development. It exposes “conflicting rationalities” between the people’s perspective of participation and existing approaches.

Paper long abstract:

This paper unpacks the state-citizen relationship in South Africa, by examining how and when people want to be involved in local infrastructure and housing provision. The research follows a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey and group interviews with residents of Bramfischerville, a low-income residential area in Johannesburg.

Preliminary results indicate that people show overall strong support for (state-led) participation in local infrastructure and housing 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. The research furthermore exposes “conflicting rationalities” (Watson, 2003) between the people’s understanding of participation in local development and existing approaches. Rather than being involved in planning, 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. 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 and housing 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.