Urbani izziv Volume 25, No. supplement, July 2014
: S176–S188
(Articles)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2014-25-supplement-013
Author
Ronnie Donaldson
Stellenbosch University, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, South Africa
rdonaldson@sun.ac.za
Julian Benn
Stellenbosch University, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, South Africa
Malene Campbell
University of the Free State, Department of Town and Regional Planning, Bloemfontein, South Africa
campbemm@ufs.ac.za
Annelie de Jager
University of the Free State, Department of Town and Regional Planning, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Title
Reshaping urban space through studentification in two South African urban centres
Abstract
Accommodation shortages on campus force students to find accommodation in the private sector. These shortages result in single family residents increasingly being targeted for redevelopment into student housing. Studentification is a process where the original residents in the vicinity of tertiary institutions are gradually displaced due to an in-migration of students causing spatial dysfunctionality where, eventually, only the needs of a student subculture are catered for. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the reshaping of urban space due to studentification in the two South African cities of Bloemfontein and Stellenbosch. Empirical data on key aspects of studentification was obtained from two questionnaire surveys among permanent residents, as well as students, in both cities. The paper proposes that the main role-players, such as universities and local municipalities, should ideally all form part of planning strategies for student housing.
Key Words
studentification, Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein, urban restructuring, neighbourhood quality