SPATIAL INCLUSIVITY AND TRANSFORMATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES: A CASE OF EAST LONDON

Abstract

The inclusivity of cities has three dimensions according to the World Bank: spatial, social and economic. Spatial
inclusion requires provision of affordable necessities such as housing, water and sanitation. Lack of access to
essential infrastructure and services is a daily struggle for many disadvantaged households in South Africa where
the majority of urban dwellers are said to lack access to essential services and infrastructure. The social dimension
of inclusivity in cities refers to the guarantee to equal rights and participation of all residents, including the most
marginalized whist economic dimension refers to creating jobs and giving urban residents the opportunity to enjoy
the benefits of economic growth. Although these three dimensions are intertwined and tend to reinforce each other,
the focus of the paper is on spatial dimension of inclusivity in that the unique South African history makes a case for
spatial inclusivity to be transformational in nature.
The paper explores the dimensions of inclusivity in cities and how they are relevant to the unique South African
context. With specific focus on spatial inclusivity, the paper makes arguments about the importance and relevance of
spatial inclusivity and spatial transformation in post-apartheid South Africa making a case as to why spatial inclusivity should be a critical indicator of spatial transformation. It then analysis how spatial inclusivity and transformation are being implemented in the case of East London.