The Limits of Urban Heritage Tourism in South Africa: The Case of Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

Heritage tourism is a significant contemporary feature in many developing countries, particularly in Africa, and fast growing in popularity in South Africa. As many heritage sites are located in cities, heritage tourism is a potential growth segment for urban tourism. This paper analyses strategic policy and interest in heritage tourism for the South African tourism economy. The case of Constitution Hill in Johannesburg is examined as a case study to elucidate the limits of urban heritage tourism. It is argued this iconic heritage attraction is seemingly failing to attract many local visitors or tourists despite its important national heritage status. Using structured interviews with stakeholders and questionnaires with visitors and local residents, the research critically explores their understanding of heritage tourism as well as their perceptions of its influence on the physical landscape as a driver for local development.     

Tourism SMME Development on the Urban Fringe: The Case of Parys,South Africa

Tourism is increasingly regarded as a viable avenue for local economic development. Small towns on the urban fringe have benefitted from tourism development in South Africa, the town of Parys being one of them. Parys has experienced tourism development over the past few years which has resulted in local economic growth, as especially reflected in the trade industry, amidst the decline of sectors such as manufacturing and mining. The study focusses on the factors that gave rise to the development of tourism in this town, as well as on opportunities and barriers to further development. A profile of tourism, small, medium and micro enterprises, is provided along with other main findings regarding the nature of the tourism industry in the area which includes the unique selling points of the area, visitor characteristics, demand and target market segments. Strategic development initiatives, in the light of the findings, recommend for the future development of the tourism industry in the area to include tourism product development focussed on attractions; the identification of key market segments such as budget tourists and the family market; destination and product marketing; investment in tourism infrastructure and ensuring the responsible management of tourism development in the area.     

Urban growth and strategic spatial planning in Johannesburg,South Africa

The article examines the way strategic spatial planning in the City of Johannesburg has attempted to reshape existing and emerging spatial patterns of a divided sprawling city, focusing particularly on current initiatives to link spatial planning and infrastructure development through the growth management strategy. The strategy has been well institutionalised in the municipality, with strong political support and links to budgets. New public transport systems are being introduced, linked to spatial plans, although some of these developments have been contested. While the property industry is responding positively to some aspects of planning, moving towards greater spatial equity remains challenging. The planning-infrastructure link seems to be strengthening planning, but it is a demanding approach which requires a very different form of planning than the traditional master planning.     

Urban Volunteer Tourism: Orphanages in Johannesburg

Volunteer tourism is one of the most vibrant forms of alternative tourism and a particular focus in Africa. Despite a growing stream of international volunteer tourists, African scholarship is undeveloped. South Africa offers the largest range of different volunteer tourism opportunities in Africa which includes work in community welfare projects such as orphanages. This research opens up debates around urban volunteer tourism in South Africa. The investigation is a case study of international volunteer tourists at orphanages in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. The aim was to understand the volunteer tourism channel to Johannesburg and reflect upon the impacts of this controversial form of volunteer tourism. The findings point to the strongly positive benefits of these volunteers for the orphanages and the children in Johannesburg. Among possible explanations is that ‘place matters’ and that volunteers choosing to work in the orphanages of South Africa’s business capital, a city that has a fearful reputation in respect of crime and safety of visitors, are committed to ‘making a difference’ in their volunteer work.     

Shared Growth in Urban Tourism: Evidence from Soweto,South Africa

This paper addresses the under-researched theme of the role of small- and medium-sized enterprises in urban tourism. An analysis is undertaken of key constraints surrounding the potential of tourism small firms (or SMEs) to contribute toward shared growth in the urban developing world. Evidence is provided from recent research conducted on small enterprise development and urban tourism in post-apartheid Soweto, a locality with a rich political history that has come to symbolize the political freedom of the “new South Africa.”     

Indicators of Small Town Tourism Development Potential: The Case of Fouriesburg, South Africa

As small towns experience economic and social restructuring, many are pursuing tourism opportunities as one component of a more diversified local economic strategy. This paper is interested in the small town of Fouriesburg in South Africa's Free State. While the town was once a thriving service center for a surrounding rural agricultural region, this traditional economy has faded. Given that the nearby town of Clarens has developed a substantial tourism economy, we pose the question of whether there already exist indicators that Fouriesburg may be poised for a similar change. These indicators include location within the urban field, timing within the tourist area life cycle model, differentials/opportunities in property values, and the role of real estate agents as “gatekeepers” in directing investments. The findings suggest that, while Fouriesburg has potential for developing a tourism-oriented economy, many of the important policy and planning supports needed to assist with diversification are not yet in place.

遗产旅游中的原真性理论研究综述——一个新的整体框架

“原真性”是遗产旅游的核心,但对原真性的认识国内旅游界仍然较为混乱。该文通过对旅游领域原真性概念及理论发展历程的综述,从客观存在状态和主体感知两个角度,确立了原真性理论的整体框架,尤其重新审视了“客观主义原真性——建构主义原真性——存在主义原真性——后现代主义原真性”的理论逻辑,明晰它们在整体框架中的学术定位,以期推动旅游学科自身的基础理论建设,并使得理论在本土化应用过程中更加合理。     

Modeling Tourists Perceived Authenticity and the Sustainable Use of Cultural Heritage

文化遗产的经济文化双重属性及多方利益主体的价值差异必然引发内生和外生的诸多现实矛盾,针对目前文化遗产保护利用中的困惑,从旅游者真实性感知角度,运用结构方程模型法构建文化遗产真实性感知概念模型,并以扬州瘦西湖为实证对象,研究真实性感知的产生、转化及影响机制,通过对假设模型进行拟合和检验,模型显示可接受.研究结果表明客观真实性对存在真实性具有显著正向作用;述行真实性对客观真实性和存在真实性具有中介效应,结论不但丰富了文化遗产体验和行为理论,而且对文化遗产资源保护和利用具有现实意义.     

The Locational Behaviour of Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Johannesburg, South Africa

This article represents a contribution to the limited scholarship on understanding the locational behaviour of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa. Against a background review of international research and debates on locational decision-making of foreign investors at both international (particularly within the developing world) and national scales of analysis, the profile and patterns of foreign investment in Johannesburg are documented and the key factors influencing investor location choice are analysed. Although investors from 34 countries are represented in Johannesburg, the leading ten investor countries, headed by USA, Germany and UK, account for 85% of all investments. An emerging trend is for the growth of FDI from India, China and the Middle East. Reasons given by foreign investors for selecting Johannesburg as an investment destination largely mirror the international experience of location decision-making by foreign investors. Johannesburg is shown to be the preferred choice for business operation both in South Africa and the broader southern African region because of several agglomeration factors which relate to the city's position as economic hub, financial centre and core market of southern Africa.     

The environmental impact of gold mine tailings footprints in the Johannesburg region, South Africa

 Gold mining in South Africa resulted in vast volumes of tailings, which have been deposited in impoundments. Poor management of most of the tailings dams resulted in the escape of seepage, adversely affecting soils and water quality. Some tailings dams have been partially or completely reclaimed leaving contaminated footprints. These zones pose a serious threat to the underlying dolomitic aquifers. In this study, the footprints of seven selected sites situated near Johannesburg have been investigated. It was found that the topsoil is highly acidified and only a minor portion of contaminants is bioavailable. However, phytotoxic contaminants such as Co, Ni and Zn could complicate rehabilitation measures as they limit the soil function. In addition, soil samples contain trace element concentrations, which often exceed background concentrations in soils. As a result, the depletion of buffer minerals and the subsequent acidification could result in the long-term remobilization of large quantities of contaminants into the groundwater. Soil management measures such as liming are required to prevent the contaminant migration from the topsoil into the subsoil and groundwater as well as to provide suitable recultivation conditions to enable future land use. Received: 20 April 1999 · Accepted: 27 September 1999     

The Experiences of Immigrants in South Africa: a Case Study of Ethiopians in Durban,South Africa

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of immigrants in South Africa from non-SADC countries. This research was conducted with Ethiopian immigrants in Durban in an attempt to shed some insights into this new nexus. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences of Ethiopian immigrants. The decision to migrate is motivated by a number of socio-economic factors including social networks and greater accessibility and availability of opportunities. The findings of this research suggest that most Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa are involved in the informal economic sector. The target of their economic activities is mainly South Africans in the townships and Ethiopian immigrants themselves. Crime is not the major concern because it does not impact the immigrant community. This research found that Ethiopian immigrants have not integrated into the local community. Language is a major barrier to integration. However, more efforts are needed to ensure their integration into the local community.     

亚洲历史城市中心区遗产保护的真实性:在有关解释和成就中的假象

在历史建筑和历史地区保护中,确定真实性的原则和标准的目的是为规划应用和保护方法建立判断标准,对遗址和历史地区的文化资源管理进行策划.作者从这一角度出发,通过介绍不同流派对真实性的解释和体现手法,反映出关于遗产保护问题的各种矛盾.文章还以河内、槟城、新加坡和马尼拉等4个城市为例,分析东南亚地区对历史保护产生影响的环境条件,并进一步讨论了在这一地区遗产保护中有关真实性的问题.     

亚洲历史城市中心区遗产保护的真实性：在有关解释和成就中的假象

在历史建筑和历史地区保护中,确定真实性的原则和标准的目的是为规划应用和保护方法建立判断标准,对遗址和历史地区的文化资源管理进行策划。作者从这一角度出发,通过介绍不同流派对真实性的解释和体现手法,反映出关于遗产保护问题的各种矛盾。文章还以河内、槟城、新加坡和马尼拉等4个城市为例,分析东南亚地区对历史保护产生影响的环境条件,并进一步讨论了在这一地区遗产保护中有关真实性的问题。     

The Role of Economic Factors and Guanxi Networks in the Success of Chinese Shops in Johannesburg,South Africa

The recent rise of China as a major global capitalist player has significantly affected those countries to which the Chinese have migrated, and South Africa has proved no difference. Little research was found pertaining specifically to the daily operation of Chinese shops in South Africa. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to fill this gap in our knowledge by providing an outline of the operational aspects associated with running Chinese shops in the city of Johannesburg and entrepreneurs’ perceptions and opinions of their business environment. The background information sketches a picture of the Chinese diaspora and the economic activities of Chinese immigrants in South Africa, while the literature review provides insights into the global nature of Chinese migrants as ethnic entrepreneurs and examines their patterns of economic activity in foreign countries. Questionnaire interviews were conducted with 500 respondents selected at random throughout the city of Johannesburg. The demographic results show that respondents have followed different trajectories to establish themselves in South Africa. Furthermore, results indicate that economic factors and ‘guanxi’ networks (close family and friend networks) are the most important aspects that influence and shape the general business profile of respondents. Despite trying circumstances, respondents remain innovative entrepreneurs who use their economic resourcefulness and guanxi networks to make a living in Johannesburg by adapting to local circumstances quickly. Important implications for better local government planning for Chinese communities and businesses in Johannesburg are also highlighted.     

Beyond the Metropolis: Small Town Case Studies of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in South Africa

It is widely accepted that urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is an important livelihood or coping strategy amongst the poorest urban households for food security and income generation in developing countries. In South Africa, UPA has been promoted in the post-apartheid era as a strategy for poverty alleviation in several key policy documents. However, despite high unemployment, some academics have raised the issue that UPA might be less robust amongst South Africa’s urban poor households, when compared to other developing countries. This paper presents results from case studies exploring the nature and geographical extent of UPA in one of South Africa’s poorest provinces, the Eastern Cape. Key results include that the social welfare scheme has, effectively, emerged as the primary contributor to household income and food security. Consequently, UPA does not play a major role in food security for most UPA households. This paper will discuss these results and reflect on the bearing of UPA as a tool for poverty alleviation in South Africa.

作为遗产的城市开放空间：伊斯兰城市的实例

本文通过对传统的伊斯兰城市结构中开放空间的用途和性质进行调查研究,试图更深入地了解伊斯兰城市的文化和遗产。研究表明,在这些城市中开放空间具有多种特性,而且对于穆斯林的社会和精神生活起着重要的作用。作者揭示了在传统文化与现代规划方法之间存在的矛盾并提出了相应的规划设计原则。     

作为遗产的城市开放空间：伊斯兰城市的实例

本文通过对传统的伊斯兰城市结构中开放空间的用途和性质进行调查研究,试图更深入地了解伊斯兰城市的文化和遗产。研究表明,在这些城市中开放空间具有多种特性,而且对于穆斯林的社会和精神生活起着重要的作用。作者揭示了在传统文化与现代规划方法之间存在的矛盾并提出了相应的规划设计原则。     

中国历史建成遗产真实性中的非物质维度——兼论整体性保护策略的可能性

物质形态与非物质形态的文化要素间的相互依存是中国历史建成遗产真实性的重要特征。由于长期以来中国对建成遗产中非物质文化要素的重视不足,以及文化遗产保护体系中整体性保护策略的缺乏,许多历史建成遗产正面临着整体的真实性的破坏。探讨了中国历史建成遗产中的非物质文化要素的特征及其重要作用,结合当前文化遗产保护体系中存在的问题,提出了整体性的保护策略。