Urbanization and housing development in South Africa

Abstract

The South African urban system is a significant testbed for the analysis of urban forms in emerging economies. On the one hand, the urbanization processes have similar characteristics to those found elsewhere in the world, while on the other they reflect the historical and political specificity of the country. This article analyzes the evolution of urban growth in South Africa, and includes an examination of the policies that have guided state intervention and of the impact of the historical and political legacy on the current situation of poverty and inequality. A particular focus is on housing, a key dimension through which the processes currently taking place in South African cities can be understood.