AA 2003 Supplementum 1

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11660/8007

Browse

Browsing AA 2003 Supplementum 1 by Author "Marais, Lochner"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Socio-demographic transformation in the Bloemfontein inner-city area
    (University of the Free State, 2003) Jurgens, Ulrich; Marais, Lochner; Barker, Charles; Lombaard, Marisa
    English: This article examines residential desegregation in the Bloemfontein Central Business District (CBD) within a theoretical framework and in comparison with other desegregation patterns in the CBDs of other major cities. Although desegregation in the Bloemfontein CBD started later, is less extensive and on a smaller scale than that in other urban areas in South Africa, it has increased rapidly since 1991 and had reached levels of just above 50% by 2001. The low level of desegregation can be attributed to the historically conservative character of Bloemfontein, but also to the compactness of the city of Bloemfontein/Mangaung, where desegregation is not necessarily required as a mechanism for saving on transport costs. It is also argued that the repeal of the Group Areas Act and the consequent desegregation of the inner city have not necessarily resulted in an integrated area with a new South African culture. In fact, this article points out that the opposite has occurred: in the CBD a new level of segregation has emerged, as the degree of desegregation in the northern parts is limited, while a relatively high level of segregation, concomitant with the outflow of white people, is found in the southern parts.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Upgrading informal housing units: preliminary evidence from Sejake Square
    (University of the Free State, 2003) Maishoane, Moeketsi; Marais, Lochner; Barker, Charles
    English: A fierce debate has prevailed until the present time as to just what role low-income households can play in providing their own housing environment. The main question is whether it can be assumed that low-income households should be held responsible for their housing needs, or whether the state should be more actively involved in providing housing for these households. In this paper it is argued, by means of a literature overview as well as empirical evidence from Sejake Square, that low-income households, given the right environment, are in fact actively involved in upgrading their informal housing units to better, more formal units. The two most prominent aspects that play a role in this regard are the period of residence and the size of the household in the area. The availability of funding also plays a role in formalisation. The conclusion reached in this paper is that government could consider providing only the infrastructure, and leaving the construction of housing units to low-income households.