Resource information
Improving urban management is a crucial precondition for developing South African townships. While the urban management deficit in these areas has deep historical roots, an array of contemporary problems also needs to be overcome if improvements are to be realised. Urban management, broadly defined, is about government’s responsibility for the planning, development and day-today operations of a city. While considerable variance exists, the paper states that most observers will agree that a defining feature of South African townships is the frequency and severity of problems associated with lack of urban management.
This paper explores the urban management challenge. It defines urban management, reviews its specific functions, explores the historical origins of the present management deficit in townships and isolates the factors that inhibit effective urban management today. The paper concludes by exploring ways to confront the urban management challenge.
Effective urban management requires the involvement of the private sector and community organisations. Managing the regulation, maintenance and operation of infrastructure and the public environment is essential to the success of township regeneration initiatives.
This study highlights issues such as crime, unregulated trading and non-performing infrastructure impede the operation of enterprises and markets as factors preventing townships and their residents from achieving their economic potential. Furthermore, it states that private sector investors consider regulation and the management of public spaces to be critical factors in how they allocate capital stating that good management of public spaces can be a make or break factor in investment.
The paper concludes by asserting that since urban management requires sustained effort over the long term, institutionalising such arrangements is key to success. A number of South African examples show how this can be done.
