Housing in late 19th and early 20th century Port Elizabeth.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Hierdie inleidende en verkennende artikel poog om 'n Bydrae te lewer tot 'n historiografies verwaarloosde sosiale probleem. Binne 'n redelik beperkte konseptualisering word die volgende aspekte kortliks bespreek: enkele demografiese tendense; 'n Statistiese oorsig van behuising; die transformasie van tradisionele Afrika woonstrukture; enkele voorbeelde van spesifieke omstandighede; enkele reaksies van die stadsraad. Hieruit is dit duidelik dat behuising reeds gedurende die vroeë verstedeliking en industriële tydperk in Port Elizabeth 'n sosiale probleem was.• Summary: This introductory en exploratory article aims to contribute to a historiographically neglected social problem. Within a rather narrow conceptualisation the following issues are discussed briefly some demographic trends; the transformation of African housing; a few examples of specific conditions; some responses of the town council. From this it is clear that the housing issue had already become one of the social problems of Port Elizabeth during the early phase of urbanisation and industrialisation.