Apartheid has been overthrown, a democratic government has been elected and South Africa is openeing itself to the world. But for the administration, the problems have grown more urgent, and the country now faces more than the already tragic heritage of apartheid. Due to decades of apartheid mismanagement urban areas are extremely inequitable and inefficient. They are the productive centres of the economy, but the majority of the urban residents live in very bad conditions and far away from their places of work. The quality of life of the South African people has to be improved massively, through creating jobs and deracialising the cities. Estimates of the present urban population in South Africa vary between 19.6 million and 26 million. By 2020, 75 per cent of the population will live and work in the cities and towns.1 The rate of urban population growth will be higher than for the population growth as a whole. Whereas in 1985 there were 20.7 million of the total South African population, resident in and on the edges of urban areas, by 2020 that will have increased to 43.7 million. 2 In the future, the urban centres, especially the metropolitan areas will function to an even greater degree than today as the social, economic and demographic heart of the country.
“It is apparent that African urbanisation levels certainly increase markedly over the next decade, and it is important that all decision makers involved in forward planning take account of this phenomenon.“3 In this assignment I will give an insight to the Urban Development Strategy of the Government of National Unity (GNU) (Chapter 2). Special attention will be given to the housing issue in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4 I will discuss the experiences in Chile, how different political systems influenced the urbanisation process in various ways. Chapter 5 deals with some national and international aspects, which have to be considered when strategies for development are designed and Chapter 6 includes some final comments on the urban development issue.
1 http://www.polity.org.za/govdocs/rdp/urban1.html page 2.
2 Smith, 1992: page 232.
3 Nattrass, 1983: page 21.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The Urban Development Strategy of the South African Government
3 The Housing Issue
4. Urbanisation in Chile
4.1. Applied Strategies in Chile (1958—1993)
4.2. Urbanisation in Chile and South Africa
5 National and International Aspects
6 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze necessary directions for urban development in post-apartheid South Africa. It examines governmental strategies for restructuring inequitable urban environments and compares these approaches with historical experiences from Chile to derive lessons for sustainable urban policy.
- Analysis of the South African Urban Development Strategy
- Assessment of housing challenges and self-help initiatives
- Comparative review of urbanisation processes in Chile and South Africa
- Evaluation of national and international developmental frameworks
- Exploration of community-based and integrated planning approaches
Excerpt from the Book
3 The Housing Issue
The problems of housing, urban development and economic development are closely interrelated. The last four decades did not improve housing and living conditions in urban centres in Africa very much. The number of urban dwellers living in very poor conditions has grown rapidly. “The Urban Foundation estimate of 7 million shack dwellers made in the early 1990s is still widely accepted. More recent statistics demonstrate, that in KwaZulu Natal alone, 2.420.000 people, a quarter of the overall population and close to half of the urban population, live in informal settlements.“ Many urban residents live in life-threatening or health-threatening homes and neighbourhoods because of poor quality shelters, dangerous sites and inadequate provision for safe water supplies, sanitation, drainage, or health care.
Housing programmes in the 1960s-1980s mirror three main problems. First, the unit costs were too high and only few units were built. Secondly, middle and upper income groups were beneficiaries and not the low-income groups. Thirdly, even where low-income households were allocated the people rented it informally to others because the size, design and location ill-matched with their needs.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the historical context of urban inequality in South Africa and defines the scope of the study regarding urban development strategies and comparative research.
2 The Urban Development Strategy of the South African Government: The chapter details the seven strategic goals of the Government of National Unity and emphasizes the importance of integrated planning, community participation, and local economic growth.
3 The Housing Issue: It addresses the critical shortage of adequate housing, identifying historical failures in delivery and advocating for self-help and people-centered approaches.
4. Urbanisation in Chile: This section investigates the evolution of Chilean housing policies under different political regimes and evaluates how decentralization and social participation influenced urban outcomes.
4.1. Applied Strategies in Chile (1958—1993): This chapter provides a chronological overview of changing political approaches to housing in Chile, ranging from state-led involvement to privatization under Pinochet.
4.2. Urbanisation in Chile and South Africa: It draws parallels between the two nations, noting common challenges such as segregation and the necessity for community-based service delivery models.
5 National and International Aspects: The chapter discusses the importance of integrating global trends with local conditions to ensure the long-term sustainability of urban development frameworks.
6 Conclusion: The author summarizes the necessity of radical redistribution and improved communication between the state and local communities to repair the systemic damages caused by apartheid.
Keywords
Urban development, South Africa, housing, apartheid, urbanisation, Chile, community-based planning, social inequality, local government, sustainability, infrastructure, public participation, urban management, housing policy, economic growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the urban development challenges in South Africa following the end of apartheid, specifically looking at housing and urban restructuring strategies.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include urban inequality, the integration of cities, the role of government, the necessity of community participation, and comparative urban policy models.
What is the ultimate goal of the work?
The goal is to propose effective directions for South African urban policy by analyzing the nation's specific historical context alongside international experiences, particularly those of Chile.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative and comparative approach, reviewing governmental white papers, urban development strategies, and academic literature on urban management.
What is the scope of the main chapters?
The chapters cover the specific strategies of the South African Government, the complexity of the housing crisis, a comparative analysis with Chile, and broader national and international developmental aspects.
Which keywords define the scope of the paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as urban development, housing, apartheid, community-based planning, and socioeconomic transformation.
How did different political regimes in Chile influence their urban landscape?
The regimes in Chile fluctuated between state-funded expansion, total privatization and liberalization of land, and later attempts at democratic, participatory decentralization.
Why does the author argue that "experts" cannot solve the urban challenge alone?
The author suggests that urban problems are too complex and deeply embedded in local social structures, requiring the active involvement and knowledge of the affected communities to be sustainable.
- Quote paper
- Lenka Tucek (Author), 2001, Possible directions that South Africa needs to follow regarding urban development, in view of the experiences in Chile and the Urban Development Strategy of the South African Government, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20047
