The Benefits of Applying Vernacular Indigenous Building Techniques in Human Settlements

Steenkamp, C & Whitfield, KP (2012), The Benefits of Applying Vernacular Indigenous Building Techniques in Human Settlements: The Case of uMasizakhe Township, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape,. Human Settlements Review, Vol. 2. No 2   Abstract  The South African government has embarked on providing housing for the country‟s poor and underprivileged populace through the Reconstruction and Development…

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Graaff-Reinet case study

Sigenu, K (2007), Graaff-Reinet case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.   HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Graaff-Reinet lies in the horse-shoe bend of the Sundays River and in the shadow of the rocky Sneeuberg Mountain Range. It is known as the “Gem of the Karoo”. It gets this name from…

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Nieu-Bethesda case study

Kruger, N (2007), Nieu-Bethesda case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.   BACKGROUND –BRIEF HISTORY Nieu Bethesda was established in 1878 on the farm Uitkyk which belonged to Mr. B.J. Pienaar. At first it was set aside as a site for a Dutch Reformed Church since it took…

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Tarring the road to Mecca

Ingle, Mark (2012), “Tarring the road to Mecca: Dilemmas of infrastructural development in a small Karoo town”, in R Donaldson and L Marais (eds), Small Town Geographies in Africa: Experiences from South Africa and Elsewhere, Nova Press.   Click here to download a document list (Author contact: vdpost2002@yahoo.com)  

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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Atkinson, D (2009), A multi-causal analysis of local economic development: The example of Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, Unpublished report, Rhodes University.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…

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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…

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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…

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