Apartheid urban segregation

Date and country of first publication

2016
South Africa

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 Although apartheid laws were officially repealed following the transition to democracy in 1994, the spatial legacy of apartheid continues to shape patterns of urban development and socio-economic inequality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.

Notes

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

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