Economic decline and gentrification in a small town: the business sector in Aberdeen, Eastern Cape

Doreen Atkinson

Development Southern Africa, 2009, vol. 26, issue 2, 271-288

Abstract: Small towns are a neglected topic of study but they are gaining importance in South Africa because of rapid urbanisation. This paper discusses a case study of business development and gentrification in Aberdeen, a small town in the Eastern Cape's Karoo. Although there has been a long-term decline in Aberdeen's economy, major changes are now taking place that call for more focused development policies. The findings of a 2006 business survey in Aberdeen are presented here and integrated with findings from the international literature on small town development. The paper shows that endogenous development of a small town's economy by its business sector can lead to some local economic growth; however, it needs to be assisted by judicious government investment. Aberdeen's economy will need a stronger level of municipal guidance to exploit its strengths and overcome its limitations.

Keywords: Small towns; local economic development; business development; Karoo; Aberdeen (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1080/03768350902899595

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