Apartheid urban segregation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 07:17, 16 October 2024

Date and country of first publication^[1][edit | edit source]

2016
South Africa

Definition[edit | edit source]

Apartheid urban segregation refers to the deliberate and systematic separation of different racial groups within urban areas in South Africa during the apartheid era (1948-1994). This segregation was enforced through legislation and government policies aimed at maintaining the dominance of the white minority population while restricting the movement and opportunities of non-white racial groups, including Black Africans, Coloreds, and Indians.

Key characteristics of apartheid urban segregation included:

Group Areas Act: Enacted in 1950, the Group Areas Act designated specific residential areas for different racial groups. Urban areas were divided into racially segregated zones, with whites typically occupying the most desirable neighborhoods close to city centers, while non-white residents were confined to peripheral areas or townships.

Forced Removals: Non-white communities living in areas designated for whites were forcibly relocated to racially segregated townships on the outskirts of cities. These forced removals, often accompanied by violence and intimidation, resulted in the displacement of millions of people and the destruction of established communities.

Spatial Planning: Urban planning under apartheid was used as a tool to reinforce racial segregation. Infrastructure development, access to services, and investment were disproportionately directed toward white areas, while non-white areas suffered from neglect and underdevelopment.

Limited Mobility: Non-white residents faced restrictions on their movement within cities, including curfews and pass laws that required them to carry identification documents and obtain permits for travel to white areas. These measures effectively confined non-white residents to their designated areas and restricted their access to economic opportunities and social amenities.

Inequality in Services: Non-white areas typically lacked essential services such as adequate housing, healthcare facilities, schools, and sanitation infrastructure. The provision of services in these areas was inferior to those in white neighborhoods, perpetuating social and economic disparities along racial lines.

Apartheid urban segregation reinforced racial hierarchies and entrenched inequalities within South African cities. Although apartheid laws were officially repealed following the transition to democracy in 1994, the spatial legacy of apartheid continues to shape patterns of urban development and socio-economic inequality in South Africa today. Efforts to address these legacies include policies aimed at promoting spatial integration, redressing past injustices, and improving access to services and opportunities for all residents.

Related segregation forms[edit | edit source]

Apartheid urban segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

urban segregation, spatial segregation, racial segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

First year of publication

Louvain clusters

Betweenness centrality

Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

References[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

↑ Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Apartheid urban segregation appears in the following literature[edit | edit source]

O’donoghue D.P. (2016). In the Shadow of a Giant: Core peripheral Contrasts in South East England. Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems, 95-108. Taylor and Francis.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-16

Mini S. (2016). Urban Transformation for Sustainability and Social Justice in Urban Peripheries: New Forms of Urban Segregation in Post apartheid Cities. Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems, 161-170. Taylor and Francis.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-22

[1] Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Date and country of first publication<ref>Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).</ref>======
+===== Date and country of first publication<ref>Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).</ref>=====
 <br>
 South Africa
-====== Definition ======
+===== Definition =====
+Apartheid urban segregation refers to the deliberate and systematic separation of different racial groups within urban areas in South Africa during the apartheid era (1948-1994). This segregation was enforced through legislation and government policies aimed at maintaining the dominance of the white minority population while restricting the movement and opportunities of non-white racial groups, including Black Africans, Coloreds, and Indians.
+Key characteristics of apartheid urban segregation included:
+Group Areas Act: Enacted in 1950, the Group Areas Act designated specific residential areas for different racial groups. Urban areas were divided into racially segregated zones, with whites typically occupying the most desirable neighborhoods close to city centers, while non-white residents were confined to peripheral areas or townships.
+Forced Removals: Non-white communities living in areas designated for whites were forcibly relocated to racially segregated townships on the outskirts of cities. These forced removals, often accompanied by violence and intimidation, resulted in the displacement of millions of people and the destruction of established communities.
+Spatial Planning: Urban planning under apartheid was used as a tool to reinforce racial segregation. Infrastructure development, access to services, and investment were disproportionately directed toward white areas, while non-white areas suffered from neglect and underdevelopment.
+Limited Mobility: Non-white residents faced restrictions on their movement within cities, including curfews and pass laws that required them to carry identification documents and obtain permits for travel to white areas. These measures effectively confined non-white residents to their designated areas and restricted their access to economic opportunities and social amenities.
+Inequality in Services: Non-white areas typically lacked essential services such as adequate housing, healthcare facilities, schools, and sanitation infrastructure. The provision of services in these areas was inferior to those in white neighborhoods, perpetuating social and economic disparities along racial lines.
+Apartheid urban segregation reinforced racial hierarchies and entrenched inequalities within South African cities. Although apartheid laws were officially repealed following the transition to democracy in 1994, the spatial legacy of apartheid continues to shape patterns of urban development and socio-economic inequality in South Africa today. Efforts to address these legacies include policies aimed at promoting spatial integration, redressing past injustices, and improving access to services and opportunities for all residents.
-Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was implemented by the National Party government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It aimed to maintain white minority rule and perpetuate the dominance of Afrikaner culture and political power.
-Urban segregation under apartheid was a key component of the discriminatory policies. The Group Areas Act of 1950 enforced strict residential segregation along racial lines, dividing cities and towns into racially designated areas. These areas were tailored to separate different racial groups and control their movement and access to resources.
-Black Africans, who constituted the majority of the population, were forcibly removed from urban areas and relocated to designated townships located on the outskirts of cities. These townships were characterized by inferior infrastructure, overcrowding, and limited access to basic services.
-Meanwhile, white South Africans enjoyed privileged access to well-developed urban areas with better infrastructure, quality housing, and superior services. The government created suburbs exclusively for white residents, often in close proximity to the wealthiest neighborhoods and economic hubs.
-Colored and Indian communities also faced segregation, but the degree of separation varied across different areas. They were assigned specific neighborhoods, often characterized by overcrowding and limited access to basic services.
-Urban segregation under apartheid not only enforced racial divisions but also perpetuated economic and social disparities. The policy restricted upward mobility for non-white South Africans, denied them access to quality education and employment opportunities, and limited their ability to accumulate wealth and assets.
-The policy of urban segregation was highly controversial and faced significant resistance from activists and the international community. Ultimately, apartheid was dismantled in the early 1990s, leading to the end of institutionalized segregation and the beginning of a new era in South African history.
 ==See also==
+==Related segregation forms==
+Apartheid urban segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:
+[[urban segregation]], [[spatial segregation]], [[racial segregation]]
+[[File:apartheid_urban_segregation.png|780x780px]]
+This visualization is based on the study [[Segregation_Wiki:About| The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research]].
+For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:
+* [https://tinyurl.com/2235lkhw First year of publication]
+* [https://tinyurl.com/2d8wg5n3 Louvain clusters]
+* [https://tinyurl.com/223udk5r Betweenness centrality]
+* [https://tinyurl.com/244d8unz Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).]
 ==References==
 ==Notes==
 <references />
 {{NoteAI}}
-==Further reading==
+==Apartheid urban segregation appears in the following literature==
-Christopher A.J. (1989) Apartheid within apartheid: An assessment of official intra black segregation on the witwatersrand, south africa. ''Professional Geographer'', ''41''(3), 328-336. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0033-0124.1989.00328.x]
-Maharaj B. (1997) Apartheid, urban segregation, and the local state: Durban and the group areas act in south africa. ''Urban Geography'', ''18''(2), 135-154. [https://doi.org/10.2747/0272-3638.18.2.135]
-O’donoghue D.P. (2016) In the Shadow of a Giant: Core peripheral Contrasts in South East England. ''Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems'', 95-108. Taylor and Francis.[https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-16]
+O’donoghue D.P. (2016). In the Shadow of a Giant: Core peripheral Contrasts in South East England. ''Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems'', 95-108. Taylor and Francis.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-16
-Mini S. (2016) Urban Transformation for Sustainability and Social Justice in Urban Peripheries: New Forms of Urban Segregation in Post apartheid Cities. ''Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems'', 161-170. Taylor and Francis.[https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-22]
+Mini S. (2016). Urban Transformation for Sustainability and Social Justice in Urban Peripheries: New Forms of Urban Segregation in Post apartheid Cities. ''Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems'', 161-170. Taylor and Francis.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315548685-22