The use of heritage-led urban development to promote sustainable urban regeneration through place making, preservation of urban identity, promoting tourism and nurturing creative economic development is growing. Street naming is considered to be heritage preservation in South African urban development. Whilst most studies have investigated name origins, and driving forces behind street renaming, what is missing is an academic account of the citizens’ narratives and interpretations behind these names. The aim of the study was to assess people’s urban memory and investigate whether they share the same perceptions with the government of preserving heritage through street names. This study assessed how people interpret street names in Newtown, Johannesburg. The study adopted a qualitative approach and a case study research design. Data collection was conducted through face to face interviews, observations and archival research (social media and newspaper archives). Convenient and purposive sampling methods were used to recruit participants. Thematic analysis was used to present findings of the study. Finding from the study revealed that street renaming coupled with selective criteria for preserving heritage and limited awareness programs may not be the best way to preserve heritage. The study suggested several recommendations to enhance heritage preservation through street naming.
Shylet Nyamwanza (Thu,) studied this question.