Apartheid urban segregation

Date and country of first publication^[1]

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 Although apartheid laws were officially repealed following the transition to democracy in 1994, the spatial legacy of apartheid continues to shape patterns of urban development and socio-economic inequality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

Related segregation forms

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

Notes

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

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