Towns
A multi-causal analysis of local economic development
Atkinson, D (2009), A multi-causal analysis of local economic development: The example of Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, Unpublished report, Rhodes University. Introduction Small towns have not featured much on South Africa’s political landscape since 1994. The focus has been primarily on the areas with economic advantage, as defined by the Government’s National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP), and […]
An Analysis of the Aberdeen Business Sector
Prof Atkinson, D (2006), An Analysis of the Aberdeen Business Sector, Institute for Social and Economic Research, Rhodes University. Unpublished paper. Introduction: Why study small towns? Small towns are a neglected topic of study in South Africa, as well as other countries. Much more focus is typically placed on metropolitan issues, as well as […]
Beaufort West case study
Van Rooyen, D (2007), Beaufort West case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. BACKGROUND – BRIEF HISTORY The town of Beaufort West was established in 1818 on the farm Hooyvlakkte at the request of Lord Charles, Somerset, then governor of the Cape. The town was named in honour […]
Bethulie case study
Sigenu, K (2007), Bethulie case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. BACKGROUND Bethulie had its origins as a mission station for the displaced San from nearby Philippolis in the mid 1820s. Nowadays it is part of the Kopanong Local Municipality along with eight other towns, i.e. Gariepdam, […]
Counterurbanisation and the emergence of a postproductivist economy in South Africa’s arid Karoo region
Ingle, M (2013), Counterurbanisation and the emergence of a postproductivist economy in South Africa’s arid Karoo region, 1994-2010. Abstract This review article serves to broach the concept of the “post-productivist countryside” where the primacy of agricultural production is supplanted by tertiary industries such as tourism, recreational farming, and arts and crafts production. The essay […]
Cradock case study
Sigenu, K (2007), Cradock case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. BACKGROUND The history of Cradock dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when British troops were stationed in the Great Fish River area to ensure peace on the country’s Eastern Frontier. A fort was […]
Demographic and Economic Changes in Small Towns in South Africa’s Karoo: Looking from the Inside Out
Nel, E, Hill, T, Taylor, B and Atkinson, D (2011), “Demographic and Economic Changes in Small Towns in South Africa’s Karoo: Looking from the Inside Out”, Urban Forum 22:395–410. Abstract This article seeks to situate the experience of demographic and economic change in South African small towns within a broader context. Drawing on international literature detailing […]
Ecology, water and enterprise development in selected rural South African towns
Toerien DF and Seaman MT, (2011), Ecology, water and enterprise development in selected rural South African towns. Water SA 37, 47–56. Abstract South Africa’s imperatives for rural development and job creation raise the question whether water abundance in a region results in improved enterprise development in rural towns. The enterprise assemblages of 2 groups of towns, […]
Economic decline and gentrification in a small town
Atkinson, D (2009), “Economic decline and gentrification in a small town: The case of Aberdeen, Eastern Cape”, Development Southern Africa, Volume 26, Issue 2 June, pages 271 – 288 Abstract Small towns are a neglected topic of study but they are gaining importance in South Africa because of rapid urbanisation. This paper discusses a […]
Economic diversification in a mining town
Helmuth, A (2009), Economic diversification in a mining town: A case study of Oranjemund, MBA mini-thesis, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Abstract Can mining industries and mining based localities promote Local Economic Development (LED)? This case study, on the mining town of Oranjemund, seeks to examine the economic diversification prospects of the town. Stakeholder views are […]
