The City of Cape Town’s Informal Settlements Department is testing new technologies, which will greatly benefit some of its most vulnerable residents in a new pilot project at its Bosasa Phase 2 development in Mfuleni. Some 1 000 structures have been marked with a Quick Response (QR) code to enhance data capturing and planning.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited the area yesterday, 28 June 2022, to see department officials rolling out the pilot project. The first phase of the project saw 1 000 structures within the area marked and numbered with a unique Quick Response (QR) code and City specific paint within just five hours. Field maps were created to indicate the associated number of each structure. This phase was successfully completed last week on Wednesday, 22 June 2022.
The next phase, which began yesterday, will see department officials returning to the numbered structures to obtain consent and to proceed with the electronic capturing of survey questions. While this is ongoing, survey data will be displayed live on a dashboard with immediate access to individual information.
‘As far as we know, this will be the first project of its kind for a metro in South Africa. The intended result of this pilot project will be direct interaction between the City and residents in informal settlements, providing up to date data for planning and budget purposes. Most importantly, each structure owner will be issued with a residence certificate linked to their respective Identity Document (ID), Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, electricity meter number, name, address and QR code. Importantly, it has been ensured that this entire process is Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) compliant.
‘We are very excited about this new method of socio-economic surveys. We are adapting to and making use of new technologies, even in the most vulnerable of communities, so that we may continue to provide the best possible services to our residents. The goodwill and cooperation of residents is apparent and appreciated,’ said Councillor Booi.
