Industrial decentralization and regional development in South Africa

Abstract

The dissertation begins by providing a conceptual framework for discussing industrial decentralization. This is done by assessing regional development planning in terms of its goals, objectives and theoretical base. Thereafter, one of the chief regional planning strategies - growth pole theory - is evaluated and found to be subject to numerous fashions and fads, and to be somewhat misunderstood. Industrial decentralization in South Africa (underpinned by growth pole theory), is then assessed and found to yield disappointing results even in terms of its main rationale of separate development. However, it is held that under certain conditions, an industrial decentralization strategy may be valid. Thee conditions are discussed, and the spatial and planning focus for such a strategy is considered.