3 Part one examines the colonial roots of spatial control and residential segregation in South Africa's earliest towns (1652-1910). The historical analysis consists of three main parts that correspond to distinct periods between 16. Advancing this critical spatial awareness is essential, as it remains elusive in current approaches to the interpretation and implementation of the housing rights of South Africa's urban poor.

Furthermore, it adopts a spatial perspective in its analysis of relevant legislation, case law and academic literature. 1 This contribution provides a historical exposition of the leading causes of spatial injustice and segregated urban settlement in South Africa during colonialism and apartheid. Keywords: Spatial injustice segregated urban settlement South Africa legislation housing planning landĪ myriad of political, economic, legal and social factors contributed to the legacy of spatial injustice and exclusion that characterises South Africa's contemporary urban areas and segregated settlement patterns. This contribution provides a historical exposition of the leading causes of spatial injustice and segregated urban settlement in South Africa during colonialism and apartheid, and adopts a spatial perspective in its analysis of relevant legislation, case law and academic literature. A myriad of political, economic, legal and social factors contributed to the legacy of spatial injustice and socioeconomic exclusion that characterises contemporary towns and cities.

Spatial injustice and urban residential segregation represent significant dimensions in the historical development of the settlement patterns of South Africa's urban poor, which have strong links to colonialism and apartheid.

Researcher, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University A historical exposition of spatial injustice and segregated urban settlement in South Africa

Township (in South Africa)definition