Apartheid in South Africa and industrial deconcentration in the PWV area

Abstract

The growth centre concept has formed the cornerstone of industrial development policy since Apartheid was introduced as a constitutional model in South Africa in 1948. A number of ‘growth points’ were identified in, or adjacent to Bantustans by the government over the years. The intention with these designated ‘growth points’ was two‐fold: to serve as counter‐magnets to encourage industrial decentralization from the major urban centres and to act as a political instrument to discourage blacks to leave Bantustans. Serious deficiences in the government's present industrial development policy are underlined — especially its underlying function to continue the segregation practices of the past — despite repeated indications by the government in recent years of its intention to move away from the concept of Apartheid. Obvious similarities between the so‐called ‘deconcentration points’ adjacent to the Pretoria‐Witwatersrand‐Vaal (PWV) Triangle megalopolis which were announced by the state in 1981 and the original concept of growth points are pointed out. Alternative metropolitan deconcentration options based on sound spatial economic principles rather than concealed political practices are suggested for the megalopolis.

Notes

Hermanus S. Geyer is a senior lecturer in the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Potchefstroom, specializing in regional economic development theory and public policy. As a senior partner in a planning and architectural firm, he has also been actively involved in a variety of real estate development projects since 1983. In 1980 he obtained the degree M. A. et Sc. (TRP) and in 1986 the degree D. Phil. in regional planning, both at the University of Potchefstroom. His research interests revolve around urban development issues and he has published nationally and internationally on related aspects of planning.