Appropriate and Accessible Facilities
Sustainable urban development requires the provision of appropriate and accessible social facilities to support the population resident in the area. The construction of schools, libraries, halls and sportsfields has therefore occurred in parallel with the provision of housing. Given limited financial resources and the difficult topography in Cato Manor, there has been a need to establish minimum standards with regard to space requirements and to control costs through tight design specifications and multiple use of facilities.

Multi-purpose centres
Within this context of high costs and limited land, the concept of "social facilities precincts" was developed where schools are located in proximity to a public library, community hall and sportsfields. The concept implies that the public library will be stocked with books required by the schools and will be able to use school classrooms to enable it to operate as a community learning centre, the schools will use the community hall for theirfunctions and the sportsfields will be a resource for the community and schools. In this way the use of facilities is maximised and costs are reduced, thus enabling the provision of more facilities. This concept has been successfully implemented in the Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in Wiggins (funded by the RDP and opened in January 1999) and Cato Crest (funded by the European Union and due for completion in August 2000). Each MPC consists of a primary school, secondary school, library, community hall and sportsfields.

Schools
In Chesterville Extension a newly built primary school, which opened in January 2000, and a secondary school, which is under construction, are situated adjacent to each other and share a sportsfield. Both schools are funded by the EU. Another primary school presently under construction in Cato Crest is also funded by the EU and is due to open in January 2001. Three pre-schools have been built and are operating in Old Dunbar Road, Wiggins Road and Cato Crest, adjacent to the MPC. The schools were funded by the RDP and are run by the Masibumbane Association.

Libraries, halls, sportsfields and parks
Also in the Chesterville precinct, along Booth Road, a new library has been completed and a community hall is under construction. An additional sportsfield has been constructed in Cato Crest. Two parks, one in Chesterville Extension and one in Bellair Road, have been completed and another two are under construction.

Health facilities
The Ekuphileni Clinic in Bellair Road was completed in 1997 and offers a range of primary health care services. An existing clinic continues to offer services in Chesterville.

Targeted procurement
Construction procurement has been based on the targeted procurement approach, to promote the utilisation and development of local contractors and the employment of local skilled and unskilled labour on construction sites. The CMDA has worked closely with the commuity-based labour committee in determining the specific procurement strategies for each project and in monitoring the outcome. Peak employment on the construction of social facilities in Cato Manor during the period covered by this report amounted to approximately 685 local residents.