Utopia on trial again : perceived residentail quality at Schubart Park in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

Schubart Park is a modernist high-density public housing complex in central Pretoria. It was developed during the 1970s despite awareness of negative notions about this housing type. Initially, residents' perceptions of Schubart Park, however, appeared to be positive. Administrative changes and racial and income integration took place during the transition from apartheid to democracy, while poor administration and social problems soon impacted residential quality. Although residential satisfaction literature suggests widespread dissatisfaction with this housing type, this research nevertheless aimed to determine perceived residential quality following changes. A survey was conducted and a Perceived Residential Quality Index was compiled. Residents had a slightly negative perception of residential quality, perceiving Schubart Park as poor in style and appearance, yet rational and useful. Contrary to negative notions, perceptions of the housing type as such were positive. The most significant predictor of perceptions was whether residents were resident pre-or post-integration, revealing that a significantly larger percentage of pre-integration residents had negative perceptions. Pre-integration residents arguably had negative perceptions because they were accustomed to better residential quality and because they were influenced by social problems. Possible implications are discussed for current post-apartheid policy to densify and socially integrate cities.