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traditional and strong western influences; the economic environment characterised by a
layered structure of well-to-do, poor and very poor, and the psychological environment
which is abstract and extremely difficult to define, but which influences the actions and
decisions ofevery individual. One cannot only try to improve the physical environment by,
for example, building houses and providing pOluhk water. This was the wisdom in the past,
as ifthe better physical environment would bring dignity and happiness to the people.
We know better that development relates not only to the development ofthings, but ofpeople
and communities. Tendler (1982: I) describes this new-found insight as follows:
'Whereas it had been previously assumed that the poor would benefit
along with everyone else from roads, hydro-electric plants, exports and
irrigation projects, it is now believed by many that poverty can be
alleviated only if some development projects are 'targeted' directly on
the poor. If the human being does not benefit from development, no
amount of infrastructural or physical development will really free
anyone from the poverty trap.' [www.miLeduldusp/idg/people/facultv/
jtendler-ev.pdf, (2008)].
In support of Tendler's (1982) assertion cited above, this situational and land use study of
Ulundi embraces a holistic developmental perspective that seeks to support both human
development and the establishment of physical infrastructure. The study acknowledges this
approach as capable of dealing with potential socio-economic extremities that may not be
adequately addressed in pure market-orientated environment.
3.5 THE URBAN-RURAL DICHOTOMY
One of the most glaring results of centralised development decision-making is the marked
rural-urban imbalance that Third World development is plagued with. Policy-makers usually
underestimate the dynamics between the urban and rural set up. Questions of resource
scarcity, trade-offs between various development objectives, and the aim of efficiently
meeting the needs of the greatest number of poor people come into the equation. The
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