ABSTRACT
Africa is experiencing a growing infrastructure deficit due to dwindling resources and increasing population & urbanization. Managing this trend requires replacing the single-use ideology of social service infrastructural construction with an integrated infrastructure planning approach, where multiple social service infrastructure is integrated rather than built as individual service points, thereby minimizing excessive land and resource use. Despite its potential, empirical research on the implementation of this in South Africa remains scarce. This study investigates the feasibility of integrated social infrastructure in South Africa by analyzing existing policy documents and drawing insights from 30 certified town planners. Findings reveal micro-practices aligned with this approach, with a solid policy framework lacking. Interview responses identified key benefits, including enhanced community cohesion, reduced cost and land use, but underscored poor maintenance culture as a critical barrier to implementation. This research contributes to actionable strategies for sustainable infrastructure development in resource-constrained settings.
