Corridor densification option model as a means for spatial restructuring of South African cities

Abstract

Spatial patterns of South African cities were largely influenced by Apartheid legislation, resulting in fragmented urban forms where spatial patterns were essentially based on racial segregation. Due to parallel dispensation, settlements became segregated, ensuing in a well-established duel city, mono-functional residential precincts associated with physical and land-use barriers. Apart from limited occurrences in metropolitan areas, attempts to address spatial injustices of the Apartheid legacy, gravely failed. Interception of incessant segregated growth, combined with urban sprawl is becoming increasingly evident. Intervention is a prerequisite to duly address the impact of Apartheid and its legacy still prevalent in most urban areas. The National Department of Transport prepared the "Moving South Africa" strategy, during 1998; presenting the Corridor Densification Option Model for the first time. The model was considered to be more appropriate to the existing South African land-use tenure patterns than contemporary planning approaches. The Corridor Densification Option Model and its augmenting attributes are progressively considered by urban planners as an alternative approach to address spatial restructuring of South African cities. In attaining a comprehensible understanding of the Corridor Densification Option Model, its rationale was analysed in greater detail. This research further investigated the model in considering the augmentation of its attributes and to enhance it through recommending contemporary planning approaches. Theoretical sampling was employed, in conducting the literature review and directive review. By further employing the process of open coding, reconstructed data was aggregated in a theoretical matrix, progressed in an assessment matrix and employed in the empirical analysis to assess purposefully selected Municipal Spatial Development Frameworks. It was endeavoured in an attempt to conclude and recommend on the feasibility of the model to attain spatial restructuring. The research revealed that the successful application of the Corridor Densification Option Model will, however, be dependent on the occurrence of specific enhanced attributes thereof in relation to relevant "spatial drivers" (legally required to be adhered to in the preparation of Municipal Spatial Development Frameworks). It does, however, offer a novel approach to spatial restructuring in South African cities in the post-Apartheid epoch. Ruimtelike patrone van Suid-Afrikaanse stede was grootliks beïnvloed deur wetgewing van die Apartheidsregering. As gevolg van ʼn parallel dispensasie, het nedersettings afsonderlik ontwikkel, wat gelei tot duplisering van sentrale sakegebiede, mono-funksionele residensiële distrikte wat verband hou met fisiese- en grondgebruiksgrense. Afgesien van beperkte gevalle in metropolitaanse gebiede, het inisiatiewe om die ruimtelike ongeregtighede, wat steeds voorkom as gevolg van Apartheid, ongelukkig misluk. Voorkeur aan onophoudelike gesegregeerde groei, gekombineer met stedelike verspreiding, word toenemend duidelik. Intervensie is 'n voorvereiste om die impak en nalatenskap van Apartheid, wat tans in meeste stedelike gebiede algemeen voorkom, behoorlike aan te spreek. Die Nasionale Departement van Vervoer het die "Moving South Africa Strategy" in 1998 voorberei wat die "Corridor Densification Option Model" vir die eerste keer voorgestel het. Die model word beskou as meer geskik vir bestaande Suid-Afrikaanse grondgebruik- en eienaarskappatrone as kontemporêre beplanningsbenaderings. Die "Corridor Densification Option Model" en sy addisionele attribute word toenemend oorweeg deur beplanners as 'n alternatiewe benadering om die ruimtelike herstrukturering van Suid-Afrikaanse stede, aan te spreek. Om 'n meer verstaanbare en duidelike begrip van die "Corridor Densification Option Model" daar te stel, is die rasionaal daarvan in meer besonderhede ontleed. Hierdie navorsing het die model verder ondersoek in die uitbreiding van sy bestaande kenmerke en om dit te verbeter deur kontemporêre beplanningsbenaderings aan te beveel. Deur die toepassing van "theoretical sampling" deur middel van "open coding" is data versamel deur 'n literatuuroorsig. Die data was verwerk in die opstel van 'n teoretiese matriks wat verder verwerk was in 'n assesseringsmatriks om die Munisipale Ruimtelike Ontwikkelingsraamwerke te ontleed. Die uitvoerbaarheid van die model word ondersoek op 'n Munisipale Ruimtelike Ontwikkelingsraamwerk aangesien dit as die toepaslike regeringsfeer beskou word om ruimtelike herstrukturering effektief te bereik. Die navorsing het bewys dat die suksesvolle toepassing van die "Corridor Densification Option Model" sal afhanklik wees van die voorkoms van spesifieke kenmerke in verband met relevante ruimtelike bestuurders in ruimtelik gesegregeerde stede in die post-Apartheid epog.