Abstract
M.A. (Economics)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the
developmental experience pertaining to urbanization in
Malaysia and South Korea is applicable to South Africa.
Urbanization, urbanization policy and the consequences of
urbanization in South Africa are investigated. Urbanization
in Malaysia and South Korea, with specific reference to
Seoul, is investigated after which the developmental experience
in relation to urbanization of these countries is
applied to South Africa. Research was also done to determine
to what extent urbanization is addressed by the Reconstruction
and Development Prograrrune and the White Paper on
Reconstruction and Development.
From the study, the conclusion can be drawn that from the
developmental experience regarding urbanization in Malaysia
and South Korea, definite lessons can be learned and solutions
found on how to accommodate urbanization in South
Africa. The developmental experience regarding urbanization in
Malaysia and South Korea has shown that the unequal structuring
of the community and economy of Malaysia had given rise
to conflict and competition between racial groups which had
been counteracted by urbanization. Urbanization in Malaysia was accompanied by industrialization and the upliftment of the rural areas couldn't retard
urbanization. Urbanization occurred with continuous economical
growth and the New Economic Policy of Malaysia played an
important role in the restructuring of the community and the
economy of the country. The government played a constructive
role in urbanization in Malaysia and followed a non-spatial
goal in its strategy for urbanization and industrial settlement.
Land ownership complicated urbanization in Malaysia.
An enabling process was followed to make ethnic Malaysians
part of the urban economy. This led to a negative feeling
towards the New Economic Policy amongst the non-Malaysians.
Urbanization was very successfully managed in South Korea,
with a land redistribution process that accommodated urbanization
and established participatory urban service systems.
The applicability of the developmental experience regarding
urbanization in Malaysia and South Korea on South Africa is
vested in the fact that South Africa also has an unequally
structured community and economy that has to be restructured
and transformed by means of urbanization. The industrial
settlement policy of South Africa will have to be adapted to
accommodate urbanization. Ethnic polarization must be
prevented in the development of the rural areas.