Page 108 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Redesigning public spaces in South Africa

Table 2 provides a brief overview of key policies and 3.2.1. South African public space gender equality
strategies supporting area-based violence prevention policies
interventions, with a focus on environmental design, social South Africa has made significant strides in promoting
violence prevention, and the development of sustainable, gender equality in public spaces through various policies
safe public spaces. It also outlines the lead departments and legislative frameworks. These efforts are essential for
responsible for their implementation. These policies and addressing the historical injustices and spatial inequalities
initiatives demonstrate how to activate public spaces by created during the apartheid era. The following policies
making social interactions transparent and inclusive. and frameworks are key to advancing gender equality and
They emphasize the importance of multi-level stakeholder inclusivity in South African public spaces:
participation at various stages of intervention, aligning (i) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996):
with a range of developmental goals. This document is the cornerstone of democracy in the

Table 2. Conceptual framework for maximizing the public space dividend

Government department Policy strategy Relevant sections Key considerations
Inter-departmental strategy team National Crime Pillar 2: Emphasizes that the causes of violence and
comprising the Departments of Prevention Strategy Reducing crime through environmental crime must be disaggregated to enable effective
Correctional Services, Defense, (1996) design. preventive interventions, as different types
Intelligence, Justice, Safety and of crimes have distinct causes and therefore
Security, and Welfare. require tailored solutions.
Department of Social Integrated Social Relevant strategic objectives: (i) Provides a rationale to enable government
Development Crime Prevention (i) Facilitating targeted, collaborative departments to respond to crime-related
Strategy (2011) partnerships with other government issues in a coordinated and targeted manner
departments and civil society by addressing the root causes of crime.
organizations. (ii) Emphasizes the importance of
(ii) Promoting sustainable institutional implementing crime prevention measures
mechanisms within communities. by government departments, communities,
(iii) Improving the social fabric and cohesion civil society organizations, community-
within families. based organizations, and the general public.
(iv) Ensuring investment in preventive and
early intervention services that provide
long-term benefits.
Multiple departments; the Civilian White Paper on (i) Section 7.1.2: Early intervention to (i) Highlights the importance of preventive
Secretariat for Police Service to Safety and Security prevent crime and violence and promote interventions aimed at reducing the social,
coordinate and facilitate (2016) safety. economic, and environmental risk factors.
(ii) Section 7.1.5: Safety through (ii) Suggests that building safer communities
environmental design. requires evidence-based initiatives that
(iii) (iii) Section 7.1.6: Active public and address underlying risk factors at the
community participation. individual, relationship, community, and
societal levels.
Department of Cooperative Integrated Urban (i) Cross-cutting issue: Urban safety within (i) Promotes the integration of crime and
Governance Development the main objective of creating safe and violence prevention initiatives into urban
Framework (2016) livable urban spaces. planning.
(ii) Policy Lever 3: Integrated Sustainable (ii) Emphasizes that public infrastructure
Human Settlements. should foster a sense of belonging and that
(iii) Policy Lever 7: Empowered Active municipalities must provide quality public
Communities. spaces where citizens feel valued.
Department of Women, Youth, National Strategic Relevant key initiatives: (i) Focuses on comprehensively and
and Persons with Disabilities Plan on Gender- (i) Changing social norms and behaviors strategically responding to gender-based
Based Violence and through high-level awareness-raising and violence and femicide by providing a
Femicide (2020) prevention campaigns. multi-sectoral, coherent strategic policy and
(ii) Strengthening existing architecture and programming framework.
promoting accountability. (ii) Highlights the importance of having an
(iii) Creating opportunities for women and inter-generational, youth-friendly approach
youth who are vulnerable to abuse as a that is co-created for different social
result of poverty. contexts.

Source: Adapted from UCLG (2017).

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 102 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5813