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From divided to integrated city?

Critical overview of the emerging metropolitan governance system in Cape Town

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Abstract

Good urban governance results in economic efficiency, social equity, gender-aware policies, overall sustainability and ultimately, improved living conditions of not only the urban poor but all city residents. […] Good urban governance is not merely a matter of efficient management; it also has political dimensions related to democracy, human rights and civic participation in decision-making processes. (UNCHS, 2001: 211, emphasis in original)

The Commission proposes the urgent establishment of a City Development Partnership to enable the development and implementation of a shared development agenda. This partnership must be about concerted action and must be co-owned by the Council, other government agencies, parastatals, the private sector, labour and civil society organisations. The emphasis of the city development partnership will be on a highly focussed campaign or campaigns which can mobilise the commitment, energy and resources of a wide range of stakeholders but which substantively address our core issues of a divided city, dysfunctional communities, and a dual economy. (Unicity Commission, 2000: 9)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. London School of Economics, UK

    Edgar Pieterse Ph.D.student (Visiting Lecturer)

  2. Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    Edgar Pieterse Ph.D.student (Visiting Lecturer)

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  1. Edgar Pieterse Ph.D.student
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Previous versions of this paper were prepared for a conference on urban governance in Boston during September 2000, under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences, and the “Urbanizing World and UN Human Habitat II” Conference, 4–6 June 2001, Columbia University, New York.

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Pieterse, E. From divided to integrated city?. Urban Forum 13, 3–37 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-002-0001-6

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