Just urban transitions on trust lands: Bridging informality and formal planning in rural and peri-urban South Africa

In many developing economies, rural and peri-urban communities frequently experience exclusion from formal development, raising questions as to pathways to equitable and inclusive municipal transitions. This article examines a ‘just urban transition’ within informal settlements on the Hlanganani Trust lands in Daggakraal, South Africa, with particular attention to residents’ lack of secure tenure. A qualitative research design was adopted, combining focus group interviews with community members and key stakeholders, alongside a review of relevant national statutes and municipal planning documents. Data were analysed thematically to identify patterns in socio-spatial inequalities, planning practices, and participatory gaps. Findings reveal that existing municipal interventions, ranging from limited service provision to delayed formalisation, reinforce marginalisation, reflecting top-down planning approaches that overlook the needs of residents and result in the growth of informal settlements. The study highlights power dynamics in planning and the participatory deficits that impede inclusive development. Based on these insights, a framework is proposed for transforming planning practice through in-situ upgrading, alternative tenure recognition, and meaningful community participation. This approach emphasises social justice and collaborative governance, demonstrating how South Africa’s planning institutions can be restructured to facilitate equitable urban transitions in rural and peri-urban contexts.