ABSTRACT
As the world is exposed to disaster risks projected to increase in types, intensity and frequency leading to the destruction of property and loss of lives, spatial planning tools emerge as the key to the reduction of disasters in informal settlements which continue to grow in South Africa. While these tools create orderly developments to reduce disaster risks, there is limited literature on their contribution towards disaster risk reduction in informal settlements in South Africa. Thus, this study focused on ascertaining spatial planning tools applied in controlling developments to reduce disaster risks, analysing water-, health- and fire-related risks in informal settlements and examining the benefits of spatial planning in informal settlements in South Africa. A systems theory was adopted to explain the concepts of the study through a descriptive research design, which comprised of data that was obtained from secondary sources and analysed thematically. The results reveal that most informal settlements are in environmentally sensitive areas, and as such, experience fire, water and health risks. The non-consideration of spatial planning tools in informal settlements leave such communities prone to disasters. Municipalities need to recognise informal settlements through a process of regularisation or formalisation to promote safe and liveable areas in South Africa.
