ABSTRACT
Public spaces are changing as part of broader political and socio-spatial transformation in cities all over the world. African cities are no exception and are characterised by increasing urbanisation, coupled with a growing need for infrastructure development and the provision of services. In South Africa, a growing youth population, high levels of poverty and unemployment, and a lack of affordable housing accompany these broader trends. Together, they cause social instability and contribute to very high levels of crime. At the same time, there is a call for a greater understanding of African urbanism and its implications for future intervention, alongside attempts to make cities more sustainable. This chapter outlines these trends and their impact on the transformation of public space in South Africa.
