WHY A ROADMAP? (PROBLEM STATEMENT):
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) has the potential to contribute to the achievement of the National Development Plan (NDP); Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) and the New Urban Agenda in South African human settlement sector. The potential of STI, however, is limited by a lack of decision support, investment and a prevalent conservativism in the sector, which frustrates uptake of promising technology.
COMMON PURPOSE:
It is the common purpose of the Science Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Human Settlements (STI 4 SHS) Forum to unlock the potential of South Africa’s human settlements for a decent standard of living, safe; resilient and sustainable households and neighbourhoods via the smart uptake of science, technology and innovation.
WHERE:
- Forum is an association of voluntary member organisations, and participants drawn from key stakeholders, committed to the Common Purpose
- Smart means selected according to utility and impact, taking into consideration the context that the technology is being deployed to
- Decent standard of living, as contemplated in the NDP, entails housing, water, electricity and sanitation; safe and reliable public transport; quality education and skills development; safety and security; quality health care; social protection; employment; recreation and leisure; clean environment; and adequate nutrition
- Unlock unrealised potential will be evidenced by wide-spread adoption, acceptance, use and a willingness of people to pay for technologies not previously mainstreamed. The unrealised potential shall include a conscious effort to engender co-production of knowledge in technological innovation to attain neighbourhood level meaningful community participation and empowerment.
- Human settlements are limited to the scale of households and neighbourhoods, whilst recognising the multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary nature of decision inputs required for their sustainability.
- Safe and sustainable, as contemplated in the SDG, means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive.
- Resilient, as imagined in the New Urban Agenda (Habital III, 2016) to natural and man-made hazards, protecting and valuing the ecosystems, natural habitats and biodiversity, and reducing the global environmental and carbon footprint.
- Science, technology and innovation means:
- To develop and produce a new solution (from scientific and technological knowledge) to a real or perceived need (Invention)
- To develop this solution into a viable and producible entity (Realisation)
- To successfully introduce and supply this entity to the real or perceived need (Implementation)
The mechanism contemplated to unlock STI 4 SHS is a Roadmap derived through consultation with role-players and key stakeholders, formally established strategic partnerships and a paved way for its successful implementation.
WHAT?
WHEN?
The Roadmap definition phase commenced in April 2018 and is due for completion by September 2019. The Roadmap implementation phase will continue until 2030.
WHO?
The STI 4 SHS National Forum is open to all and is comprised of organisations and individuals who are interested in and can add value to the project objectives, and who register through the project portal.
HOW?
Participation is entirely voluntary and can occur in a variety of ways:
Monitor the project portal: Regular updates will be posted on the project portal. Registered users who agree to receive email communication will receive occasional updates. Register today and expand this invitation to those in your professional networks. Registration can be managed at any time on the project website.
Survey: All individuals and organisations registered on the STI 4 SHS portal, who agree to participate in the electronic survey will be emailed an electronic survey. The data gathered will be analysed to determine trends and drivers, barriers, gaps and opportunities experienced in the application of STI for SHS.
Out-of-the-Box Housing Conference: This conference is a two-day peer-reviewed academic conference to be held in Pretoria on 24 & 25 October 2018. Target participants are academics from Universities, Universities of Technology; and Research Councils.
Innovations Register: This is a list where industry and suppliers can register Science, Technology or Innovation solutions for sustainable human settlements, where they are not yet mainstreamed in South Africa. Updates on this register will be posted on the STI 4 SHS website.
Off-the-Wall Technology Showcase: This demonstration day is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators and thought leaders to share their Science, Technology or Innovation solutions for sustainable human settlements.
Provincial workshops: Technology roadmapping workshops will be hosted in each province for local and provincial government officials nominated by project partners and their selected implementation partners. The purpose of the workshops will be to assess the current state of technology in human settlements, envisioning a future preferred state, and identifying the technologies, innovations and capabilities and the necessary “ingredients” to reach that state over time.
Nominations are invited from provincial Department of Human Settlements, South African Local Government Association, Department of Energy, Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Water and Sanitation, Technology Innovation Agency, Water Research Commission, Provincial Innovation Coordinators. Partner organisations such as NGOs, community-based organisations, aid agencies, and housing agencies.
Advisory panels: Identified experts will be strategically approached on an ad-hoc basis to provide specialist inputs and independent review as and when the need arises. This will includes National government, certification bodies, institutes, professional bodies, members of the National System of Innovation, technology incubators, SARChI Human Settlements Chairs and the investment community.
A national workshop: The draft STI 4 SHS Roadmap will be presented in April 2019, at a national workshop. Details will be posted on the project portal.
Join the common purpose of the Science Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Human Settlements (STI 4 SHS) roadmap to unlock the potential of South Africa’s human settlements for a decent standard of living; safe, resilient and sustainable households and neighbourhoods via the smart uptake of science, technology and innovation.
Register here on the STI 4 SHS portal
Suggestions or concerns? Contact us
Project partners: Formal project partners to date are the Department of Science and Technology (sponsor), National Department of Human Settlements, Technology Innovation Agency, Department of Environmental Affairs, South African Local Government Association, Department of Energy, Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Water and Sanitation, Technology Innovation Agency, Water Research Commission, Provincial Innovation Coordinators, CSIR, National Home Builder’s Registration Council, Agrément South Africa, Nelson Mandela University, Mangosuthu University of Technology and University of Johannesburg.