Summary of the principles in Chapter One of the Development Facilitation Act

The Development Facilitation Act principles state that all laws, policies and administrative practices affecting land development should:

• Facilitate the development of both formal and informal existing new settlements - there is therefore no bias in favour of any one sort of development and no individual community or group in an area can claim preferential treatment without a good reason.
• Discourage land invasions without ignoring the reality and history of informal land development processes.
• Promote efficient and integrated land development that, among other things: integrates rural and urban areas, integrates poor and rich, black and white areas in towns and cities, and integrates different land uses rather than keeping them strictly separate.
• Discourage urban sprawl and contribute to more compact towns and cities.
• Make maximum use of all available resources and avoid duplicating existing infrastructure and services.
• Promote development of housing and work opportunities near to each other, and encourage environmentally sustainable practices and processes.
• Be clear and easily understood - they should also provide guidance and information to people in or affected by the land development process, rather than simply trying to control the process and the people.
• Promote sustainable development that:
  • Is within the fiscal, institutional and administrative means of the country.
  • Establishes viable communities.
  • Protects the environment.
  • Meets the basic needs of all citizens in an affordable way.
  • Ensures the safe use of land.

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Contents | General | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E | Section F | Section G | Section H | Annexure A | Annexure B | Annexure C | Annexure D | Glossary | Obituary