The Economic Development of South Africa’s Townships

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Townships are one of the most distinctive elements of the South African cityscape. After decades of economic neglect as dormitory settlements, the economic development of townshipsTownships is emerging as an important policy issue. This chapter examines township local economic development with its domination by informal economiesInformal economies, past and present. Key themes of concern surround the emergence of new economic bases for a formal economy, especially in leisure and hospitality services, the role of the informal economy, and of national government-led initiatives for enterprise formalisation. In addition, controversies surrounding the involvement of international migrant entrepreneursEntrepreneurs in township businesses are discussed. Overall, township economic developmentEconomic development is a critical research agenda for urban and economic geographers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWorld Regional Geography Book Series
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages187-194
Number of pages8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Publication series

NameWorld Regional Geography Book Series
VolumePart F3068
ISSN (Print)2363-9083
ISSN (Electronic)2363-9091

Keywords

  • Economic underdevelopment
  • EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs
  • Informal economyInformal economies
  • PolicyPolicy
  • Refugee economiesRefugee economies
  • TownshipsTownships

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Demography

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