Specific characteristics of South African Cities

South Africa is unique and hosts a different set of characteristics to those of many other countries in the world. It therefore, requires a contextual approach to gated communities, as well as a clear understanding of the local dynamics.

Some of these particular South African urban characteristics include:

• A unique diversity of urban residents living together in South African cities.
• A specific political and socio-economic environment present in urban environments.
• Particular crime patterns and a relatively high crime rate.
• Proportionately high levels of fear of crime.
• Low levels of trust in the police in many communities.
• A heritage of fragmented and separated urban environments, resulting from previous planning sectors.
• Large differences in existing facilities and services accessible to particular sectors.
• A suspicion towards the capacity and delivery of local governments in South Africa, and their ability to deliver.
• Notorious extremes between the rich and the poor.

Specific spatial characteristics contribute to the particular urban pattern present in most South African cities. Urban environments are characterized by fragmentation and spatial dislocation, separation and mono-functional zoning, and by low-density suburban sprawl. Among other reasons, these spatial characteristics also contribute to opportunities for crime in many cases.

In order to address the problems that these spatial characteristics cause and ensure an improved and more crime free environment for future generations, the following spatial aspects should be addressed:

• The spatial dislocation of the poor on the peripheries of the cities and the ever increasing low density suburban sprawl, both of which result in long and costly commuting patterns.
• The separation of communities through rapid transport routes, large buffer-strips and undeveloped open land.
• The rigid mono-functional zoning of land with often inappropriate, enforced land-uses that leave some areas deserted during the day or night.
• The degraded and poorly developed built environments experienced by many in the South African city.
• The effective exclusion of many city residents from the amenities and economic opportunities offered by the city due to the location or absence of these facilities.

Since the mid-nineties, there have been deliberate attempts to change these existing inefficient urban patterns. Two of the main policy documents regarding planning and development, the Green Paper on Development and Planning (1999) and the DFA (Development Facilitation Act (1995) both advocate an integrated and holistic approach to planning and development in South Africa.

However, one cannot expect to change large cities and towns overnight. Scarce resources, existing infrastructure and well-established mindsets are but a few aspects that are providing difficulties towards integrated cities.

Within this context, several questions are asked in terms of the compatibility of gated communities and integrated cities and it remains to be debated and seen whether gated communities would assist towards the integration of cities and communities or not.

Gated communities and urban sustainability in South African Cities

In many instances the urban future is shaped by specific and powerful ideas. “Gated communities” is one such an idea, which has the potential to significantly transform the urban environment in the 21st century. As a strong and influential urban type, it has the potential to influence the juxta-positioning of the urban rich and poor, social and economic opportunity, spatial development and the decision-making process of both national and local governments. In this sense, they could have a dramatic impact on the long-term sustainability of cities. This could be especially true for developing and transitional countries, such as South Africa.

It is not likely that gated communities will decrease or disappear overnight. In fact, they will probably increasingly grow in the next five to ten years. However, while many are considering the short-term implications of this type of development, few are thinking about the long term implications of gated communities, and it is especially in the long term that they could have their greatest impact.

Although the new millennium offers the opportunity for exiting new ideas to be implemented, urban decision-makers and professionals have to work within the reality of what exists in our cities. Recognising that urban sustainability is one of the goals for urban planning and management, all urban development must be considered in relation to the dimensions of urban sustainability. Within this framework, the appropriateness and model of gated communities as a type of development for the urban future needs to be carefully considered.

Also see paper on gated communities and urban sustainability