Polycentric development in the Cape Town city-region: Empirical assessment and consideration of spatial policy implications

Sinclair-Smith, K. (2014). Polycentric development in the Cape Town city-region: Empirical assessment and consideration of spatial policy implications. Development Southern Africa, 32(2), 131–150. doi:10.1080/0376835x.2014.984378

Platform
Cape Town
Publication type
Scientific article (peer-reviewed)
Projects
Knowledge Transfer Programme
DOI Title
Polycentric development in the Cape Town city-region: Empirical assessment and consideration of spatial policy implications
Journal
Development Southern Africa
ISSN/ISBN
0376-835X 1470-3637
DOI
10.1080/0376835X.2014.984378
Author(s)
Ken Sinclair-Smith
Published year
Subject
Geography, Planning and Development Development

 

External link

Abstract

The concept of the ‘polycentric urban region’ has been popularised both as a theoretical concept for understanding regional urban systems in an era of reduced transport and communication costs, and as a normative policy objective in its own right. This paper explores its relevance to the rapidly urbanising Cape Town city-region. First, empirical evidence for the emergence of polycentric regional development patterns was considered. Shifts in relative settlements sizes (morphological polycentrism) over the period 1991–2011 were examined using population data, and patterns of inter-settlement interactions (functional polycentrism) were explored by analysing commuting information. Contrary to expectations, trends toward polycentric development were found to be weak. Second, the paper considers the relevance and value of polycentric development thinking for regional economic and spatial planning policy, concluding that there are insufficient grounds for policy intervention aimed at encouraging polycentric regional development or countering the dominance of Cape Town in the region.

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