Towards a spatial development perspective for Southern Africa

Abstract

To ensure equitable development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, unravelling and understanding the role that physical space and spatial structures play in economic growth is of cardinal importance. In this regard, although ham-strung by the lack of readily packaged spatial economic growth and development data, a recent CSIR scoping study presents a first -cut spatial development perspective on southern Africa. The overwhelming evidence from the study points to the need for emphasising and coordinating spatial planning, including activities regarding human settlements and urbanisation for all 14 constituent member states of this regional economic bloc. Such planning activities would be located within and integrated with other SADC activities that seek to furnish prospective investors, policy makers and other stakeholders, with relevant spatial data for informed decision making. CSIR recommends that the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) urgently discusses the possibility of hosting the interim spatial planning office with the SADC secretariat and its development partners , with a view to eventually informing policy relating to the formal acceptance and establishment of a permanent platform.