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

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
December 2011
determine the growth performance and development potential of the urban settlements in the
province, with a focus on their role in the creation of a dynamic urban and rural development
system. More specifically this includes the following objectives:
a) Identify criteria and indicators for assessing the urban growth/development potential from
relevant academic literature and policy documents. The National Spatial Development
Perspective (NSDP) and the Northern Cape PGDS provide valuable guidelines in this regard.
b) Statistically measure and compare the growth performance of the urban settlements and
local municipalities in the Northern Cape.
c) Qualitative assessment of the economic base and place identity of these localities by
engaging local stakeholders – in the process communities will have the opportunity to
make input regarding the growth potential of their municipality and town’s.
d) Index and categorise these settlements according to their development potential and
human needs levels.
e) Make recommendations for appropriate decision‐making and investment strategies to
facilitate comprehensive rural development and performance management in the
settlements and municipalities.
D.1.1 ROLE OF SMALL SETTLEMENTS IN REGIONAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The role of small‐ and medium‐sized settlements has received renewed interest and recognition
globally as bridges on the rural‐urban development continuum. In a well‐balanced settlement
system they act as infrastructural clusters and growth engines for regional development (Weliwita
& Okpala, 2004). During the 1980s many academics, regional planners and policy makers reached
consensus that small settlements played an essential role as service centres in the development of
a region through their economic base, production linkages, as well as trickle‐down effects (Van der
Merwe, 1983; Rondinelli, 1988; Evans, 1992; Gaile, 1992).
It is a generally‐eccepted principle that public funds should be applied for the improvement of a
small town’s structure and functioning (e.g. investment in market support, provision of water and
electricity, development of housing and new industrial areas) only if the basic rural development
conditions are found to be suitable (Hinderink & Titus, 2002). The basic driving force behind a
town’s growth is provided by its specific economic activities, which generate job opportunities,
capital, buildings and infrastructure (Badcock 2002: 66).
The potential contribution of small rural settlements to local economic development has probably
not been sufficiently recognised in rural development strategies. There is scope for a more
positive and dynamic approach, which duly recognises the existing and potential economic and
social role of rural settlements and attaches greater importance to these locations as entry points
for policy, investment, job creation, enterprise development and service delivery. Analysis of key
sub‐sectors can offer significant insights into commodity flows across the rural and urban spaces,
as well as these settlements’ role as market and distribution centres (Wandschneider, 2003)
It is widely recognised that an economic, social and environmental interdependence exists
between urban and rural areas and the ‘rural‐urban linkage development perspective’ is
increasingly becoming the accepted approach in developing countries. Rural‐urban linkage
generally refers to the flow of monetary capital, people, goods and information between urban
and rural areas. Infrastructure such as transportation, communications, energy and basic services,
form the backbone of the urban‐rural development linkage approach. Adequate investment in this
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Dennis Moss Partnership