Abstract

STRAUSS, Margot. A historical exposition of spatial injustice and segregated urban settlement in South Africa. Fundamina (Pretoria) [online]. 2019, vol.25, n.2, pp.135-168. ISSN 2411-7870.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-7870/2019/v25n2a6.

Spatial injustice and urban residential segregation represent significant dimensions in the historical development of the settlement patterns of South Africa's urban poor, which have strong links to colonialism and apartheid. A myriad of political, economic, legal and social factors contributed to the legacy of spatial injustice and socioeconomic exclusion that characterises contemporary towns and cities. This contribution provides a historical exposition of the leading causes of spatial injustice and segregated urban settlement in South Africa during colonialism and apartheid, and adopts a spatial perspective in its analysis of relevant legislation, case law and academic literature. Advancing this critical spatial awareness is essential, as it remains elusive in current approaches to the interpretation and implementation of the housing rights of South Africa's urban poor.

Keywords : Spatial injustice; segregated urban settlement; South Africa; legislation; housing; planning; land.

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