South African Township Economies and Commercial Property Markets: A Conceptualisation and Overview
South African Cities Network
Download Document| Date Published | 2015 |
| Version | |
| Primary Author | Rob McGaffin, Mark Napier and Geci Karuri-Sebina |
| Other Authors | |
| Theme | |
| Country | South Africa |
Abstract
Despite numerous studies on townships, research into township economies and related commercial real estate markets is limited. The majority of studies refer to the economy only as part of a broader discussion about other themes such as housing. And, while the information in these studies is useful, it is not captured and discussed within an overarching conceptual framework, which would allow the relationships and causal factors that shape and drive such economies to be understood. Therefore, this report’s objective is to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to better understand township economies and related commercial real estate markets. Existing research on township economies will also be reviewed in terms of this framework. this report is not intended to be a definitive statement on township economies or a policy position, but rather a framework to stimulate and guide discussion and debate about township economies In so doing, it is hoped that the drivers, opportunities and constraints of such economies will be better understood, so that policy interventions to grow and manage these economies and markets will be more robust, conceptually grounded and therefore more effective. It is important to note that, while generalisations are made with respect to townships, townships are highly heterogeneous as a result of their locations, histories and current dynamics. Therefore, any analysis and policy interventions must take these differences into account. The report draws heavily from, and in some places directly reproduces, material from the following commissioned research reports: ? PDG. 2013. A Consolidated Review of Township Economies and Related Non-residential Real Estate Markets. Commissioned by Urban LandMark. ? Black and Matsei. 2014. A Consolidated Review of Township Economies and Related Non-residential Real Estate Markets – The Development and Application of a Conceptual Framework. Commissioned by the South African Cities Network (SACN) and Urban LandMark