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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Local economic development in Midrand, South Africa's ecocity |
Author: | Rogerson, Christian M. |
Year: | 2003 |
Periodical: | Urban Forum |
Volume: | 14 |
Issue: | 2-3 |
Pages: | 201-222 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | local politics urban development municipal government environment |
External link: | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12132-003-0011-z |
Abstract: | This paper examines the changing directions and issues of local economic development (LED) planning in Midrand in Gauteng, South Africa. The paper is based on existing source material, interviews and questionnaires undertaken in 2001 concerning community inputs into the process of LED in Midrand. Midrand was one of the earliest South African municipalities to engage seriously with issues of poverty alleviation. In addition, it was a pioneer in the application of public procurement as a strategy for local economic development. Most recently, Midrand has acted as a catalyst for implementing projects that address poverty through a search for so-termed 'ecologically sound solutions'. The overall ecocity objective is 'to create a city which is both interdependent with the rest of the world and self-reliant through creating its own economic, social, physical and environmental solutions'. The critical issue observed in the demonstration projects relating to ecodevelopment is of the small number of jobs and income opportunities that have been created in the first phase of the ecocity. In order to deal with the massive unemployment problems faced in South Africa's townships, the issue of scale needs to be addressed. In addition, the immediate support needs for upgrading and development of communities of informal sector enterprises and of urban cultivators must not be ignored. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] |