cities

In cities, economic and social inequities manifest in embedded spatial imbalances: labour living far
from work, suffering long and expensive commutes; racially and class-distinct neighbourhoods; black
peripheries and inner cities characterised by poor and informal housing and environments; economies
that follow historical patterns and are concentrated far from the poor majority. In response to these
imbalances, the mantra has been “spatial transformation”.
The NDP acknowledges quite explicitly that:
A fundamental reshaping of the colonial and apartheid geography may take decades […] For
this to happen, the country must:
• Clarify and relentlessly pursue a national vision for spatial development.
• Sharpen the instruments for achieving this vision.
• Build the required capabilities in the state and among citizens. (NPC 2011: 260)
Bolstered by this national acknowledgement, the 2016 State of South African Cities report maintains
that spatial transformation is core to local and national development.
Understanding Urban Spatial Dynamics
The systemic dynamics of cities are self-reinforcing, and how cities are configured, grow and change
is inherently linked to other aspects of city performance. Their liveability, efficiency and attractiveness
are also related to how economically productive they are, which typically influences how inclusive,
sustainable and well governed they are.
The policy intent is clear: to build inclusive, productive, sustainable and well-governed cities. However,
over the past 20 years, mixed progress has been made in addressing spatial injustice and socioeconomic
inequality (The Presidency, 2014). In cities, where the majority of South Africans live, “it is harder in 2013
to reverse apartheid geographies than it was in 1994” (COGTA, 2016). Clearly, business as usual cannot
continue, and different tactics are required in order to transform spatially the apartheid-designed city.
However, before looking at what needs to happen, it is important to understand the apartheid legacy as
well as the post-1994 changes to the urban built environment.
The apartheid legacy and post-1994 developments
Apartheid was based on racial segregation, control and deliberate dispossession and socioeconomic
marginalisation of black 1 people. Black people were forcibly removed from urban land and had no
legal claim to land or property ownership rights outside of the homelands. Housing for black families
was created on the periphery of cities, and access of black labourers to the city was limited. Transport
1 This definition refers to black South African, coloured and Indian people.
48 State of South African Cities Report 2016