1930s-1940s
Summary
The national government passes legislation to prevent blacks from getting skilled jobs, but many end up taking the jobs of whites who volunteer for military service. As mining development and industrialization expand, urbanization increases. By 1946, blacks are the majority in all major towns. The struggle for separate development (apartheid) results in the election of the National Party in 1948. It implements a major planning regulation that requires black areas to be separated from white areas by "buffer strips" of open space. Government agencies are established to impose strict control on development in the major mining areas. In response, the first mass protest action by black workers occurs during the Alexandra bus strikes when they refuse to use buses after fare increases are announced.
Influences
- World War II.
- Economic shift from agriculture to manufacturing.
- National Party elected (1948): Party ideology affects and permeates policy.
- Rise of black politics: focus on urbanization, sense of place in the city.
- First militant demonstrations by urban blacks: Alexandra bus strikes create white fears.
- Mine workers strike (1946).
- Census shows blacks are majority in cities (1946).
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Policies and Programs
- Framework for apartheid develops.
- Native Urban Areas Act intensifies divisions.
- Slums Act (1934) authorizes government to acquire slum properties.
- Transvaal Ordinance (1931) authorizes local government control of urban planning.
- Temporary rental housing for blacks.
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Institutional Roles
- State attempts to control urbanization.
- National Planning Commission.
- Industrial Development Corporation.
- Local authorities implement policy for land use, density, building size, and other planning requirements.
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Methods, Tools, and Practices
- First mass housing townships developed for blacks: "matchbox houses."
- Buffer strips established around black townships to ensure separation of races and to permit easy control.
- Standard blueprint master planning.
- Thirty-year leasehold with guarantees of compensation.
- Garden city-style planning adopted for black townships, without provision for industry or commerce.
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Lessons and Outcomes
- Sweep of repressive legislation throughout the 20-year period; policy becomes systematic and draconian.
- Separate business and residential communities are created.
- Legislation that intensifies segregation and increases bureaucracy increases.
- Many white workers leave for war, opening opportunities for blacks; white population fears loss of economic opportunities.
- Politicians advocate self-contained, separate development.
- Rural/urban migration creates pressure on housing.
- Local governments unclear about how to deal with housing and urban development issues.
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