Deracialised urbanisation

Conclusion

This paper has proceeded from the assumption that the choice is not whether the new urban strategies of the state and capital will go ahead or not. The reality is that the state and capital will proceed with their respective strategies regardless of whether or not the mass democratic movement agrees to participate.

The paper also argued that the consequences of the new urban strategies could be devastating and could restructure the urban power structure in fundamental ways. However, it was also argued that if the mass democratic movement decided to engage with these new strategies, and if it was armed with an appropriate policy framework, then the benefits for the urban communities could be substantial. In addition, a decisive and strategic intervention could significantly alter the balance of power between the state, capital and the communities. In the absence of this kind of considered intervention, this balance of power will change, but not in favour of the interests represented by the mass democratic movement.