Urbanisation: South Africa's Challenge

Urbanisation is one of the most pressing issues in most less developed countries. This also holds true for contemporary South Africa where many issues related to urbanisation are coming to the fore. Housing backlogs lead to land invasions and conflict, while the conflicts surrounding migrant labourers in single-sex hostels are only too apparent. At the same time far-reaching changes in the life-styles of people are occurring.

In Volume 2 of this two-volume publication Pieter Kok and Derik Gelderblom attempt to identify the appropriate planning approaches to urbanisation and their main social implications. Based on an extensive literature study, the issue of planning for urbanisation was investigated and general guidelines for planning are provided. Not only is there a brief analysis of planning requirements, but a thorough evaluation of participatory principles and methods is also given. A comprehensive review of the debate on urban land and housing is provided, which is complemented by an evaluation of the many regional/rural development planning options that have been suggested for countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa.