Speaker
Description
South Africa’s 31 years of democracy have been characterized by robust legislative efforts to address spatial inequalities entrenched by apartheid. Policies such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), the White Paper on Housing (1994), the Municipal Systems Act (2000), and the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA, 2013) have laid the groundwork for spatial transformation. Complementary tools like the Spatial Transformation Barometer developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) have sought to define metrics and benchmarks for progress. However, while these frameworks emphasize the "what" of spatial transformation, little attention has been given to the "how" and "where." Fundamental questions—whether to relocate marginalized communities closer to economic centers or redistribute industries and services to peripheral areas—remain unanswered. Additionally, the distinction between spatial transformation and incremental spatial change is often blurred.
This study examines these gaps through spatial analysis and interviews conducted with officials across 20 municipalities in South Africa. Findings reveal that spatial transformation has been slow and, in some cases, stagnant due to deeply rooted structural and systemic challenges. Political interference often skews priorities toward short-term agendas, while a lack of political will limits decisive action against entrenched inequalities. Municipalities also face critical shortages of skilled professionals, economic constraints, and competing demands for basic service delivery. The urgent focus on housing and infrastructure maintenance frequently prioritizes quantity over strategic location, perpetuating spatial fragmentation.
Drawing on the conceptual distinctions between change (incremental, surface-level, and minimal cultural/identity shift) and transformation (deep, systemic, and new paradigm shift), this paper argues that achieving spatial transformation requires not only adaptive governance and cross-sectoral collaboration but also an all-systems approach that integrates economic, social, and spatial considerations into a cohesive framework.
| Keywords | Spatial Transformation; Adaptive Governance; Cross-Sectoral Collaboration; Systemic Challenges; All-Systems Approach |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
