Chapter 8: Urban Form and Land Use in the Less Developed Countries

Chapter 8: Urban Form and Land Use in the Less Developed Countries

Today’s cities still show how they were planned back in colonial days, typically with the wealthy closest to the central plaza, and then further from the center are the lower and middle class residents. The cities that had royal guidance in planning their cities often forced citizens to relocate to cities because it allowed them to control them much easier.  

There are several different types of African cities, thus making it difficult to compile them into one description. There is the indigenous or native city, which often were walled and were later influenced by colonial rule. Islamic cities were often some of the most important stops along the trans-Saharan caravan routes, because of the huge amount of religious centers and marketplaces. The colonial or administrative city, served as the bridge between the colonial powers and the locals, helping them maintain control over the region.  There are also the European, dual and hybrid cities which are a mix of different kinds of cities. 

It is especially interesting to see the layout of the South African city because of their practice of apartheid. There is a white CBD which is the main CBD, then Indian/Chinese CBDs, industrial districts, and separate residential areas for the whites, Indians, Chinese, and African peoples.