Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities - Agence ...

Methodology
The purpose of this study is to understand how South Africa operates in response
to the challenges of urban development and primarily to understand the government
authorities’ attempts to create living spaces for poor populations within the urban
fabric. In this report, the South African system is compared to the French system to
enable better understanding of the challenges by using a known system of reference.
The scope of the study is vast, and this document attempts to remain sufficiently
general to serve as background for any reflections or future projects in South Africa in
the field of urban development. Nevertheless, the decision was made to focus primarily
on large South African cities that are facing difficulties integrating low-income
populations within the urban environment and attempting to overcome these difficulties.
The research lasted six months, from July 2008 to December 2008. Since the end
of apartheid, many authors have taken an interest in the issues involved in the urban
integration of historically disadvantaged groups. Thus, the first source used was a
review of existing writings on the subject. This review of the literature was extended
by interviews (see Appendix 1 for a list) conducted in France, Reunion Island and South
Africa. Indeed, I had the opportunity to work in Reunion Island for one week at the end
of September; and twice in South Africa, once for two weeks half-way through the study
in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, and a second time in Johannesburg
for approximately ten days one month before the end of the study. In addition,
simultaneously with this study, I helped organize a workshop titled “Urban Development,
Housing and Social Cohesion” with Brazilian, South African and French speakers. This
workshop, set up by AFD, was an opportunity to learn more about these issues.
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© AFD 2009 Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities