The Influence of Differential Urbanisation on Regional Policy

This book aims to integrate effective and
sustainable regional policy with the concept of
differential urbanisation. From this research it is evident
that regional policy is implemented in reaction to certain
socio-economic imbalances in a region. This usually refers
to high levels of unemployment and weakening economic
sectors in certain cities. It is proposed that regional
policy be formulated in a pro-active manner for all
relevant sectors within the urban system, given its
development status. Accordingly, urban centres that will
probably see an increase in population and economic growth,
can be identified at an early stage and developed
accordingly. Similarly, urban places with weakening
economies can be supported if identified early in its
stagnating phase. The socio- economic profile of the Gauteng
Metropolitan Region showed that it has followed a pre-
determined 'maturation' pattern since the 1960s. It is also
evident that the efficiency of regional policy and the
sustainability thereof is usually inversely proportional to
each other: i.e. as sustainability increases, economic
efficiency decreases.