Local Economic Development in an Era of Globalisation: The Case of South African Cities

Since 1994 South Africa’s macroeconomic strategy has sought to accommodate the forces of globalisation and ensure the country’s re‐entry into the global economy after two decades (1970–90) of relative international economic isolation. One key component of restructuring for globalisation has been a shift in the burden of responsibility for economic development from national to local government level and of the promotion of local economic development (LED) planning across post‐apartheid South Africa. This paper focuses on the issue of LED planning in South Africa as a case study in the local consequences and reactions to globalisation of city regions in the global periphery. The planning of LED in South Africa incorporates international trends towards local promotion of economic growth but also includes a distinct and strong focus on poverty alleviation to deal with the apartheid legacy.