The urban development boundary as a planning tool for sustainable urban form

Abstract

The urban core is the heart of all spatial development. However, the urban core areas in South Africa are unsustainable living places. The need for equal development, accessibility and efficiency has never been this great, especially in the Gauteng city region. The current unsustainable urban phenomenon needs to be redesigned into a compact urban core. This study evaluates the urban development boundary as a planning tool for sustainable urban form. This implies a parallel action: development inside the urban edge, and development outside the urban edge, to guide development and sustainable urban form. The urban development boundary will influence development as it guides the relation between urban and rural areas. The aim of this study was thus to determine and develop a sustainable urban form for the Gauteng city region by means of the urban development boundary concept that would lead towards a qualitative and sustainable urban environment.