The dissertation examined the development and potential prospects of three diverse
mining settlements in Namibia - Rosh Pinah, Klein Aub, and Tsumeb. It is a case study
in settlement geography aiming to investigate problem areas and their potential
solution towards sustaining people-centred urban stability, growth and development,
linked to the assistance of private-public local and regional development planning in
an environment of global mining competition.
The integrative literature review revealed that publications on Namibia predominantly
offer a descriptive account of past and present mining settlements in the country. The
focus of this study on prospects for mining settlements in the context of local and
regional urban development planning evolved together with the revitalised integration
of Namibia’s mining industry in global markets. Refocussing the role of Namibian
mining settlements on spatial development disclosed the need for research in problem
formations, processes, perspectives and concepts to assist in securing knowledge and
capacity for future development with or without mining activities.
The methodology was based on five concepts, namely (i) Christaller’s Central Place
theory (1933) which influences spatial analysis and development models until today;
(ii) human migration perceptions; (iii) a life-cycle model for mining settlements
adapted from Luca’s mineral life-cycle model for resource towns (1971); (iv) the
theoretical framework of Local Economic Development (LED); and (v) aspects of
mining economics. The mixed-method approach to investigations facilitated the
collation of primary data involving semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face
(iii)
interviews. The data set formed the foundation for an in-depth analysis of the case
study settlements’ scenarios. Linked to an indicator-supported viability model, the data
analysis revealed distinct capacities of each settlement to achieve their people-centred
urban sustainable development.
Rosh Pinah, seemingly calm, well organized and well-managed, exposed a strong
dependency on mining development that may harbour the potential for future decay
and stagnation. This imponderability resulted from misapprehended local economic
diversification efforts which could not unleash desired effects. At present, Rosh Pinah
is to be rated ‘unviable’. The settlement might face the fate of Klein Aub, which
prospered during its mining era, then declined, became depleted and has stagnated ever
since the closure of the mine. Without external stimulus Klein Aub's prospects are
bleak. Tsumeb, in contrast, exhibited great potential for socio-economic viability. Its
dependency on mining has been resolved and the town continually transforms its urban
structures and functions with the assistance of private-public engagement in joint local
to regional LED-oriented long-term planning.
In conclusion, lessons learnt from the three case studies point towards possible
solutions which could pave the way towards sustainable growth and development of
mining settlements in Namibia. Weaknesses which apparently are inherent in the
country’s mining settlements and were observed during field study, should serve as a
basis for future research and human capacity building, in order to establish a
sustainable discourse among all key role players in planning the politico-economic,
socio-cultural, and natural environment for the future generation.