The last decade has seen a significant increase in the number of retail centres being developed in 'emerging economy' areas - townships and rural areas - in South Africa. In Soweto, for example, at least six shopping centres have opened their doors since 2005. Even in the townships of smaller South African cities, shopping centre developments have sprung up, changing the face of commercial transactions for many residing in these areas.
160 retail centres have been developed nationally in township and rural areas of South Africa between 1962 and 2009, covering about 2-million m² of retail floor space. An estimated R2.4 billion worth of income taxes have been generated by these retail investments since the 1980s, while an estimated R166 million worth of property taxes have been collected from retail centres over the period - it is projected that Soweto's five retail centres alone contribute about R18 million a year in rates and taxes to the City of Johannesburg. Moreover, these centres have generated about R34 billion worth of business sales, and have added about 54 300 permanent jobs to the national economy since the 1980s.
However, the trend has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that these centres have a negative impact on the local economies by out-competing local small businesses. Others say retail centres bring a wider range of goods and services closer to the local population at better prices, reducing the need to travel and the associated costs. Still others think these centres can play an important catalytic role in generating urban agglomerations, initiating urban renewal and the development of vibrant town centres.
To enable us to understand this market better, Urban LandMark in 2009 appointed Demacon Market Studies to determine the nature and impact of shopping mall developments in South Africa's 'emerging economy' areas, and explore ways in which the positive impact of these centres can be maximised and the negative impacts minimised.
The initial research findings were complemented by a Training for Township Renewal Initiative (TTRI) case study project and additional expert inputs. A Colloquium on the topic was also held in August 2010, with participants from local municipalities, private developers, banks and the academic community.
To consolidate this range of research inputs and reflections, Urban LandMark published a shorter booklet, which was launched on 26 July at a workshop event, "Bolstering Township Transformation". The event was hosted together with the South African Cities Network and the Neighbourhood Development Programme of national Treasury - partners in the TTRI, together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The product launch and workshop event further disseminated a set of seven case studies developed by the Neighbourhood Development Programme. The aim of the event was to to create awareness of the issues raised in the case studies, by sharing and analysing the relevant research contributions and findings, and to stimulate uptake of the products with the relevant communities.
Downloads
The booklet [1.23MB]
The research report
- Chapter 1: Introduction [552KB]
- Chapter 2: Township transformation and property markets [1.39MB]
- Chapter 3: Changes in the consumer landscape [3.48MB]
- Chapter 4: Retail supply trends [1.50MB]
- Chapter 5: In-depth case study analysis [552KB]
- Chapter 6: In-depth case study analysis - Jabulani Mall [2.75MB]
- Chapter 7: In-depth case study analysis - Central City [2.47MB]
- Chapter 8: In-depth case study analysis - Liberty Promenade [2.86MB]
- Chapter 9: In-depth case study analysis - Umlazi Mega City [2.71MB]
- Chapter 10: In-depth case study analysis - Thula Plaza [2.12MB]
- Chapter 11: In-depth case study analysis - Nkowankowa [2.21MB]
- Chapter 12: Impact on local businesses and informal trade [5.08MB]
- Chapter 13: Centre development dynamics [295KB]
- Chapter 14: SWOT analysis and impact assessment [583KB]
- Chapter 15: Recommendations [777KB]
The launch press release [161KB] and the launch presentation [2.01MB]
Other case studies launched at the "Bolstering Township Transformation" event
- Retail Centres and Township Development [3.41MB]
- Developing Township Regeneration Strategies [1.59MB]
- Township Regeneration in Small Towns [1.72MB]
- Operations & Management of Township Nodal Developments: Khayelitsha Business District Case Study [1.7MB]
- Partnerships for Development: Bakubung-Ba-Ratheo and Wesizwe Platinum Case Study [1.60MB]
- Creating and Capturing Value Around Transport Nodes [1.48MB]
- Partnership Models for Accountability and Monitoring in Municipal Programmes [1.52MB]
