This thesis examines the social praxis of middle-class whites in Johannesburg, examining the physical and perceptual consequences of the fortification of middle class suburbs. The thesis explores how heightened fear of crime has encouraged most middle class whites to secure their homes against strangers using physical and electronic barriers of control and surveillance. This withdrawal from public spaces has reduced opportunities for racial interaction and increased white fear of strangers. It is in this context that certain gentrification projects provide opportunities for city inhabitants' engagement with urban spaces and racial others, potentially contributing to the evolution of a non-racial, democratised society.
Table of Contents
I. The beginning -- II. Whitewashing? -- III. Fieldwork -- IV. Scaffolding -- V. Constructing apartheid -- VI. The changing face of urbanism in Johannesburg -- VII. The 'look' of apartheid -- VIII. The 'feel' of apartheid -- IX. Carceral landscape -- X. Modern laagers -- XI. Always watching, always guarding -- Xii. Perceptions of safety -- XIII. Why Braamfontein? -- XIV. The self-styled saviour of Braamfontein -- XV. Imagining the possibilities of Braamfontein -- XVI. The importance of perceptions -- XVII. Walking as an act of urban re-familiarisation -- XVIII. The rhythm of Braamfontein -- XIX. Born free -- xx. The anarchytect -- XXI. Marelize and Caroline -- XXII. Departure.Notes
Bibliography: leaves 89-94
Theoretical thesis.Awarding Institution
Macquarie UniversityDegree Type
Thesis MResDegree
MRes, Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts, Department of AnthropologyDepartment, Centre or School
Department of AnthropologyYear of Award
2014Principal Supervisor
Christopher HoustonRights
Copyright Robyn Lynn Gillot 2014.
Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyrightLanguage
EnglishExtent
1 online resource (96 leaves : $$ b colour illustrations)Former Identifiers
mq:69725
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1257136