Ideas, philosophy and personality in the history of Kwazulu-Natal’s Town and Regional Planning Commission

Abstract

1997 is likely to mark the end of an era for planning in KwaZulu-Natal. The provincial government is hoping to put in place legislation by the end of this year which would replace the forty-five year old Town and Regional Planning Commission with a new Planning and Development Commission. For the existing Commission it is a time of introspection: what contribution did the existence of the Commission make to planning and development in KwaZulu-Natal between 1951 and 1996? What kind of difference did the Commission make? How can its contribution be explained? Such questions give rise not to meaningless reminiscence, but speak directly to the present. The first piece of post-apartheid planning legislation, the Development Facilitation Act of 1995, provides for planning commissions in both provincial and national spheres of government, and there is serious debate as to the potential roles which such commissions might play. Deconstruction of the historical practice of planning can play an important role in informing current debates.