1900s-1920s
Summary
The South African War (1899-1902) displaces much of the population, damages the rural economy, and creates a class of poor urban whites. This phenomenon, in addition to a boom in gold and diamond mining, results in rapid, uncontrolled urban migration. Local government is unable to manage the growth, which leaves housing conditions in major centers, especially Johannesburg, chaotic and unsanitary. Moreover, a major influenza epidemic underscores the need for sound public health legislation.
Meanwhile, people become further polarized by race. Legislation delineates a majority of land for whites and a small portion for blacks. Government policy to import indentured Indian labor for use in sugar plantations further weakens the economic position of blacks.
Influences
- Cities are predominantly white.
- Conflict between black and white workers.
- Influx of indentured Indian labor.
- The Rand Rebellion (1922): White miners revolt against inclusion of black labor.
- African National Congress founded (1912) to represent the black majority.
- Union of South Africa created from four colonies (1910).
- Removal of "native" population by declaring "unsanitary areas" to be redeveloped (e.g., Klipspruit).
- Discovery of minerals: rush for land, land rights, town growth, black labor, labor classes.
- Reconstruction extends boundaries in Johannesburg.
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Policies and Programs
- The Natives (Urban Areas) Act (1923) entrenches separation by planning for "locations" and for the rest of urban South Africa.
- Public Health Act (1919) creates the Department of Health and uses zoning to protect white communities.
- Natives Land Act (1913) segregates black and whites across South Africa, where 87% of land is for whites and 13% for blacks.
- Clearance of Coolie Location (1904): first urban renewal.
- Transvaal Provincial Local Government (Stallard) Commission proposes that black Africans should be regarded as temporary residents of urban areas.
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Institutional Roles
- Union Public Health Conference (Bloemfontein, 1918) attracts provincial demand for new powers (and funds) to address the key issue of slum clearance, housing, and town planning.
- Housing Commission addresses Native Affairs via the Department of Health.
- Union Department of Lands takes control of Township Boards (1910).
- Development by private sector mining companies (e.g., housing and railways) without state sponsorship.
- National government provides loans to local authorities for poor white housing; blacks are excluded.
- Local governments are active in major cities: development of townships and low-income housing.
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Methods, Tools, and Practices
- Blacks build own homes in selected areas.
- Formal legislation for township development adopted.
- Ownership and titling.
- Local authorities cross-subsidize housing and services.
- Conventional (British) town planning, slum clearance.
- Local government funding from beer halls used to build white low-income housing.
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Lessons and Outcomes
- Black/white tensions play out in competition for public housing.
- Housing Commission develops housing standards.
- Housing policy divorced from town planning.
- Reconstruction paves the foundation for the electric tramway system.
- Mines segregate residential space: white suburbs for workers, separate hostels for blacks.
- Blacks are temporary residents in city, but there are still areas where blacks can own land.
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