The relationship between urban neighbourhood type and commuting distance in Gauteng city region, South Africa : a preliminary analysis

Abstract

This paper uses the 2001 and 2013 Gauteng household travel survey datasets to investigate the nature of change in commuting distances of commuters from different neighbourhood types in the Gauteng City Region, in South Africa. The investigation is done within the context of the need to evaluate the impact of the promulgated post-apartheid urban form policy reforms that were introduced since 1995. The results show that, contrary to policy intents, the overall Gauteng’s average commuting distance was longer in 2013 than in 2001. Also surprisingly, the average commuting distance for inner city dwellers was also longer in 2013 than in 2001 by 40%. The average commuting distances for township dwellers remained unchanged, albeit relatively long than all other neighbourhood types. While increases in average trips distances are partly attributed to the increased poly-centrism in the city region, it appears that current spatial policy reform instruments are not as effective as intended.