Investigating the implications of edge-city development on integrated spatial planning: case study of Umhlanga, (Prestondale) eThekwini Municipality.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
In the global South, the desire for cities to increase their participation in the global economy
by cultivating world cities has led to a heightened presence of high-end privatized urban
enclaves that have seemingly become key drivers of city development. Conceptualised as edge
cities under the Postmodern Urbanisation framework in the Los Angeles school of thought,
these urban enclaves showcase how the decentralization of cities and the demand for affluent
lifestyle living has dominated city development trajectories in both developed and developing
countries. In response to this trend, more cities are embracing urban policy discourses and
spatial plans that are orientated around achieving spatial integration with the interest of
ensuring equitable access to city resources for all. The planning discourse in South Africa
remains committed to transforming the urban morphology of South African cities from one
that is plagued with spatial segregation and fragmentation to one that practises urban
compaction and integrated urban development. With this background, the main objective of
the study was to find out the impact that edge city development has on the transformation
agenda that advocates for integrated spatial planning within the South African urban landscape.
A qualitative research approach was used to obtain findings using structured key-informant
interviews as a primary data collection source, where purposive sampling was used to
purposefully select the sample population. The study found that the development of edge cities
perpetuates spatial segregation patterns that exist within the South African urban from. Despite
legislature and policy commitment to spatial transformation and integrated development
processes, edge city development continues to develop along economic and class divisions that
are a legacy of apartheid planning. Furthermore, the study found that the implications that edge
city development has towards achieving integrated spatial planning includes increased urban
sprawl, deepening socio-economic divisions, spatial exclusivity as well as a lack of public
facilities that are not privatized.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.