CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWOR · K
2.2 ORGANISATION OF SPACE
There are several processes and factors that play a role in the growth and stagnation of a city. Even though this study area has specific dynamics, there are general patterns of urban structure and form that can be related to certain theory. Theorists such as
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Guttenberg (1975) argue that transportation and distribution of facilities need to be
~ combined to give a true picture of urban structure.
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2.2.1 Urban Structure and Urban Growth
Braman argues that "technology has influenced the shaping of the city's form. The ecological factors such as the natural setting of the City and the cities' past history are subject to technological and social change. These factors need to be understood when making decisions" (Braman (1971) cited in Guttenberg 1975:135).
The vehicle has increased the range of personal movement. With this increase in range, new patterns of urban centres emerge. Also, with growth, old links are broken and new ones emerge. Whole communities are affected by these changes. One would need to identify the " ... critical elements and relationships of urban structures so that the probable
Guttenberg attempts to define urban structure by studying the.!elationship betwe~n people aru:;IJ~cilitiesJhe different income groups and personal choices have resulted in new links
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in the study area. This means that the la~ge retail celrtres have m~ smaller retail services have moved in to serve the immediate community.
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--~.New-income grouR.S within an area have qifferent nee those that left the area. An example would be that a large student population would rely on corner shops as compared to larger retail outlets for services.
2.2.2 Elements of Structure
Guttenberg,(1975) believes that people can be transported to facilities or facilities can be distributed to people which will result in a distinct type of city. There are certain constraints that prevent only one of these methods being used. Not all people are mobile as a result of their social circumstances (poor men and women, children, students and the old aged are generally place bound) and therefore both methods are used to overcome total distance between people and ·facilities. Place bound people have thus influenced the concentration and distribution of facilities. "Certain facilities can be distributed throughout the area in close physical proximity to their users" (Guttenberg 1975:137).
Often i.n low income areas there are a lack of facilities that are necessary for day to day activities. The location and _types of facilities need to be carefully considered when redeveloping an area. Community needs should be assessed and supported. Facilities that
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are not conducive to a neighbourhood ~nvironment such as brothels and shebeens should -
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-not be allowed to operate in neighbourhoods. C
2.2.3 Density
There are several factors that give value (desirability as a place of business or residence) to any location. If a person only has a limited choice to fulfill a need then he or she will locate at a particular place. However, if there are several needs then a person will compromise "by locating at a point where access to both opportunities is adequate but where access to neither is optimal" (Guttenberg 1975:138).
If all people had the same needs or preferences, all would try to locate at one point. But not all people have the same needs and preferences. This is accounted for by the value of each place and the whole population of the area. Places are not evenly populated and
• this is due to different values people have for an area. The social forces and accessibility affects people's values of areas. Thus, the level of density of an area can be argued to be proportionate to the level of desirability of an area. Whenever areas make changes which are more desirable the area becomes more popular. As a result it tends to be more densely occupied with households and associated uses (Guttenberg 1975: 138).
The relation between economic density and phYSical density is not necessarily direct.
Whether or not high economic density at a given poirit is translated into high physical density depends on local site conditions, on whether or not prospective users need a lot of space, and on their ability to pay for space. High economic density may go with low physical density, and low economic density with high physical density, but these combinations are exceptional (Guttenberg 1975:139).
Th~ researcher believes that high density in the area has implications for planning as the need for social facilities and infrastructure is increased due to the high population in the area. High denSity, overcrowding, and occupation status also have implications on the
2.2.4 Stage Theory of Urban Growth
A stage theory of urban growth is used to examine the relationships between urban environmental change and population movement and characteristics (Birch 1971 :78).
The stage theory model u ••• relates the flow of individuals to the urban structure through which they are flowing" (Birch 1971 :79). The stage theory works on a premise that individuals in a society evolve through a sequence of stages over time. It should be noted that the model is an American model, and some cycles of change might not apply to the constrained South African system.
This theory considers the evolutionary processes of neighbourhoods. Each stage is identified in terms of residential types and population densities. Six stages were identified by Birch (1971:80-81) and are described as: