Exploring the Socio-Economic and Ecological Impacts of Unlawful Land Use: A Case Study from Louis Trichardt, Makhado Municipality

Ludere, Ambani Tolbert and Mphambukeli, Thulisile (2025) Exploring the Socio-Economic and Ecological Impacts of Unlawful Land Use: A Case Study from Louis Trichardt, Makhado Municipality. URBAN INNOVATION: TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO CITIES HAVE GONE BEFORE. Medium sized cities and towns as a major arena of global urbanisation. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2025, 30th Intl. Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 507-518. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Illegal land use presents intricate challenges with far-reaching socio-economic and environmental implications. This study investigates the dynamics of unlawful land use in Louis Trichardt, Makhado Local Municipality. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research synthesizes insights from 270 respondents, including municipal employees, supplemented by primary data from comprehensive surveys and community observations. A SWOT analysis revealed key strengths, such as community awareness and potential for localized solutions, but also weaknesses, including insufficient municipal resources and individual resistance to regulations. Identified opportunities include public awareness campaigns, improved housing accessibility, and stronger regulatory enforcement. However, significant threats such as environmental degradation and limited access to formal economic activities pose ongoing risks. The findings highlight unauthorized rental structures, illegal spaza shops, informal shack settlements, and unapproved businesses as prevalent forms of illegal land use. Respondents identified critical drivers behind these practices, including limited access to affordable housing, economic hardships, and unemployment. The study recommends bolstering municipal capacity, enhancing community awareness initiatives, and prioritizing affordable housing programs to address these issues effectively. Suggested areas for future research include examining the long-term impacts of community-driven solutions, evaluating the effectiveness of municipal campaigns, fostering public-private partnerships, advancing sustainable land use planning, and conducting comparative studies with similar municipalities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Land use, spatial, environment, socio-economic, Makhado Local Municipality
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology K Law > K Law (General)
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	16 May 2025 08:13
Last Modified:	16 May 2025 08:13
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1154

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