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‘Catching the development train’: perspectives on ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ development in post-apartheid South Africa

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  • David Bek

    (Department of Geography, University of Sussex, UK and University of Durham, UK, bek_dave@hotmail.com)

  • Tony Binns

    (Department of Geography, University of Sussex, UK)

  • Etienne Nel

    (Department of Geography, Rhodes University, South Africa)

Abstract

Government policy in post-1994 South Africa, whilst upholding the principles of community participation and development, has been firmly wedded to a neoliberal growth agenda. This paper critically examines whether one element of that new growth agenda, that of Spatial Development Initiatives, has catalysed both ‘bottom-up’ development and also meaningfully assisted micro-entrepreneurs through more ‘top-down’ interventions. The paper focuses on two specific projects, namely the Saldanha Steel Plant and the Paternoster Fish Market, which have been components of a Spatial Development Initiative in the Western Cape. The serious constraints faced by communities in engaging with opportunities for socio-economic upliftment is clearly a cause for concern, and it is suggested that a careful re-evaluation of South Africa’s development paradigm is urgently required.

Suggested Citation

  • David Bek & Tony Binns & Etienne Nel, 2004. "‘Catching the development train’: perspectives on ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ development in post-apartheid South Africa," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 4(1), pages 22-46, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:4:y:2004:i:1:p:22-46
    DOI: 10.1191/1464993404ps047oa
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul Jourdan, 1998. "Spatial development initiatives (SDIs) - the official view," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(5), pages 717-725.
    2. Thembela Kepe, 2001. "Clearing the ground in the Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs): Analysing 'process' on South Africa's Wild Coast," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 279-293.
    3. David Lewis & Robin Bloch, 1998. "SDIs: Infrastructure, agglomeration and the region in industrial policy," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(5), pages 727-755.
    4. Etienne Nel & Tony Binns, 2001. "Initiating 'Developmental Local Government' in South Africa: Evolving Local Economic Development Policy," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(4), pages 355-362.
    5. Amanda Fitschen, 1998. "The impact of the Saldanha Steel Project on the West Coast economy," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(5), pages 771-785.
    6. Tony Binns & Etienne Nel, 2002. "Devolving Development: Integrated Development Planning and Developmental Local Government in Post-apartheid South Africa," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(8), pages 921-932.
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