Volume II - The Northern Cape Provincial Spatial Development ...

Africa is not unique. The NSDP (2006) is informed by international case studies which show
the following observations:
• Unfocused infrastructure spending does not necessarily result in improved GDP growth;
• Regions which already have some economic success are more likely to grow than other
regions;
• Success is often achieved through focused and polarised investment;
• Redirecting public investment from economically dominant regions to lagging regions has
not automatically spurred economic activity in these regions.
• The poor benefit when they have more options to which to turn, and more options are
created in the profile of dynamic growth processes, not in the declining sectors that are
left behind.
The National Spatial Development Perspective, therefore, is underpinned by the following
assumptions:
• Location is critical for the poor to exploit growth opportunities;
• The poor that are concentrated around vibrant economic centres have greater opportunity
of gaining from economic growth;
• Areas with demonstrated economic potential provide greater livelihood and income
protection as well as a more favourable environment to combat poverty.
The national space economy suggests the identification of localities (towns and cities) with
development potential in terms of the following six categories (see Table 2.1) of development
potential (NSDP, 2006):
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