Urban decay | Hijacked buildings become crime hotspots

Summary

In Johannesburg, urban decay is impacting service delivery and social economics as inner-city buildings become dilapidated and crime hotspots. Angela Rivers from the Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association discusses the rapid deterioration over the last decade, the financial implications of hijacked buildings, and the city's ineffective task teams. She emphasizes the need for collaboration between the city and the private sector to address the issue, highlighting the significant loss of property value and the urgent need for safe and secure housing.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Urban decay in Johannesburg's inner city has been accelerating over the last decade, leading to a significant deterioration in infrastructure and buildings.
• 💔 The hijacking of buildings, particularly those belonging to the municipality or provincial government, is a core issue contributing to the decline of the city center.
• 🔫 Hijacked buildings become crime hot spots, affecting the safety and value of surrounding properties, with incidents of violence and robbery being common.
• 📉 The presence of hijacked buildings leads to high tenant turnover and a decrease in property values, impacting the affordability of housing in the area.
• 📈 A recent revaluation by the city council in July 2023 has seen property values in the inner city increase threefold, significantly affecting affordability for residents.
• 💸 The financial implications of urban decay are severe, with property owners facing increased rates and residents struggling with the rising costs of living.
• 🚨 The city's task team for addressing 'problem properties' has been ineffective, lacking the necessary cooperation from various government departments.
• 🏠 Not all residents of hijacked buildings are criminals; some are there due to the lack of formal tenancy requirements and the need for affordable housing options.
• 🏚️ Many hijacked buildings lack basic utilities like water and electricity, making them unlivable and contributing to the city's failure to provide secure housing.
• 💡 The city is losing revenue from hijacked buildings as they do not receive rates or payments for utilities that are being stolen.
• 🤝 Collaboration between the city and the private sector is essential to tackle the issue of hijacked buildings and urban decay effectively.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the provided script?

The main topic of discussion is the issue of urban decay in Johannesburg's inner city, particularly focusing on the impact of hijacked and dilapidated buildings on service delivery and social economics.

How long has the deterioration of Johannesburg's inner city been ongoing according to Angela Rivers?

Angela Rivers suggests that the deterioration of the inner city has been going on for quite a while, but it has significantly worsened in the last 10 years.

What are the consequences of having hijacked buildings in the inner city, as mentioned by Angela Rivers?

Hijacked buildings lead to a decrease in property values around them, high tenant turnover, and increased crime, as tenants do not want to stay in buildings near these unsafe structures.

What is the term the city prefers to use instead of 'hijacked buildings'?

The city prefers to use the term 'problem properties' instead of 'hijacked buildings'.

How has the city of Johannesburg addressed the revaluation of properties in the inner city?

In July of the current year, the city council implemented their General Valuations Roll 2023, which involved revaluing all properties in Johannesburg, leading to significant increases in property values and rates.

What impact does the increase in property valuation have on the affordable housing market?

The increased valuations make affordable housing less affordable, as the costs are passed on to tenants, affecting those earning between five and fifteen thousand Rand a month.

What role does the Problem Properties Task Team play in addressing the issue of hijacked buildings?

The Problem Properties Task Team is supposed to address the issue of hijacked buildings, but Angela Rivers describes it as ineffective due to the lack of coordination between various government departments.

Why is it important for multiple government departments to work together to tackle hijacked buildings?

Multiple departments such as law enforcement, health, social services, and home affairs are needed to effectively address the complex issues within hijacked buildings, including safety, health, and legal concerns.

How do hijacked buildings affect the city's revenue?

Hijacked buildings result in the city losing revenue as they do not receive rates or payments for utilities like water and electricity that are being stolen or misused.

What solution does Angela Rivers propose to address the issue of hijacked buildings?

Angela Rivers suggests that the city needs to work together with the private sector, including property owners and managers with experience in dealing with hijacked buildings, to effectively tackle the problem.

What is the significance of the term 'urban decay' in the context of this script?

The term 'urban decay' refers to the decline of urban areas characterized by deteriorating infrastructure, crime, and a decrease in property values, which is a central theme of the discussion in the script.