Vision & Ethos

Within 5 years demonstrate the meaningful inclusion of the working poor into contextually responsive and aesthetic urban environments.

Objectives

  • Vision and Ethos Provide comprehensive urban planning/design and facilitation services to membership-based organizations (MBOs) of the urban working poor (particularly women); inclusive of relevant professionals to encourage unique partnerships. It is intended that this will result in appropriate and enabling urban planning and design solutions and ultimately lead to contextually responsive town / city place-making; and also lead to improved qualities in the urban experience – for all citizens. Although primarily focused on urban planning and design interventions, Asiye eTafuleni’s approach is integrative of other integral aspects of the informal economy; such as legal matters, organising, occupational health and training.
  • Creation of a Learning Hub for those interested in urban planning and design for the informal economy, integrating the other related aspects as mentioned above. In order to achieve this objective, the work is continued with vigilant consciousness, with habitual documentation and a deep regard for reflection and debate in order to achieve insight.

Ethos

  • Inclusivity – carefully listen to all stakeholders, particularly urban informal workers
  • Sustainability – document & share knowledge & skills to enable empowerment (of staff & urban informal workers) & sustainability (of the organisation model)
  • Accessibility – be accessible to all stakeholders, particularly urban informal workers
  • Collaboration – proactively engage urban informal workers, researchers and built environment professionals and local government officials
  • Passionately productive – make clever use of time and resources