Building neighbourhood-level resilience to crime : the case of Khayelitsha, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa is crippled with high rates of crime. Examining factors that may build neighbourhood-level resilience to crime is central to reducing the poverty gap and lowering inequality particularly in impoverished communities. By drawing on theories from environmental criminology in this study we quantify and spatially locate resilient neighbourhoods in the township of Khayelitsha located on the urban periphery of Cape Town in South Africa. We then examine the extent to which access to various built environment factors in the township is stratified based on neighbourhood-level resiliency. Contrary to expectations we found that the most resilient neighbourhoods in Khayelitsha most often experience a decrease in access to a range of built environment factors. Explanations for these findings are provided in the context of a uniquely South African township setting.