Abstract
Apartheid planning in Mangaung created racial separation and spatial fragmentation over an axis of 65 km which included an independent homeland (Thaba Nchu) and an ethnic city (Botshabelo). However, Mangaung still exhibits many of the spatial attributes created by apartheid planning. There is continued racial and class segregation. However, the CBD has desegregated. Urbanisation processes have normalised with Bloemfontein the main area to which people migrate (as opposed to Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu). The most unforeseen change has been the studentification and subsequent desegregation of suburbs adjacent to the two universities. Considering the future, the desegregation of many of the former white suburbs and urban sprawl will continue and Botshabelo’s functionality as a dormitory town will change. However, the spatial legacy of apartheid planning will remain for the near future.
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I dedicate this chapter to Karel Schoeman (1939–2017) and Skip Krige. Karel wrote the first comprehensive history of Bloemfontein (1848–1947). Skip’s doctoral thesis analysed colonial and apartheid planning Bloemfontein (1910–1990). I never knew Karel personally, but read his work. Skip was my mentor. He opened my eyes for the injustice of apartheid planning. I am indebted to both of you.
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Marais, L. (2021). Bloemfontein: Three Decades of Urban Change. In: Lemon, A., Donaldson, R., Visser, G. (eds) South African Urban Change Three Decades After Apartheid. GeoJournal Library(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73073-4_7
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