Urban Planning and the Politics of Spatial Integration in South Africa: the Fleurhof Mixed-Income Housing Experiences

Phosho, Mueletshedzi Helen and Gumbo, Trynos and Makoni, Eric and Kibangou, Alain (2025) Urban Planning and the Politics of Spatial Integration in South Africa: the Fleurhof Mixed-Income Housing Experiences. URBAN INNOVATION: TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO CITIES HAVE GONE BEFORE. Medium sized cities and towns as a major arena of global urbanisation. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2025, 30th Intl. Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 965-972. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

How can mixed-income housing developments contribute to spatial integration, in societies with protracted histories of racialise planning and related socioeconomic and spatial injustices? This is the question that this paper endeavours to grapple with. While a plethora of housing-related legislation and strategies have punted “spatial integration”, “spatial harmonisation” and “inclusive planning” as being central to the reconstitution of South Africa’s socio-spatial milieu; the spectres of colonial/apartheid planning have proved to be difficult to exorcise. Using the Fleurhof mixed-income development as a case study; the paper asserts that there is a huge disconnect between the legislative and strategic planning vision on one hand and the realities on the ground. Put differently, South Africa’s planning effort remains fundamentally informed by the ‘politics of radical difference’, i.e. differences in race, class, religion, nationality, and other related markers that are used every day to justify spatial fragmentation. Thus, in fleshing out the counters of these politics of every day that define planning; the case study research design was adopted, and a qualitative approach was employed to gain in-depth insights into the lived experiences of residents, the socio-economic dynamics within the development, and the broader governance and policy challenges influencing spatial integration in Fleurhof. Data was collected through a combination of qualitative research methods, including interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The results show that the development of Fleurhof mixed-income housing has been largely influenced by political dynamics, which have in the main, frustrated the legislative vision of spatial integration. Residents’ experiences within Fleurhof reflect a complex interplay of social interactions, economic disparities, and institutional dynamics in planning. Furthermore, research reveals that effective community engagement and participatory decision-making processes are crucial for ensuring the success and sustainability of mixed-income housing initiatives. In conclusion, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to development planning that prioritises spatial, and social justice, particularly in cities characterised by deep inequalities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mixed-income housing, spatial integration, urban planning, Fleurhof, Johannesburg
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	16 May 2025 09:21
Last Modified:	16 May 2025 09:21
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1169

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