Problems facing the Rand conurbation

Problems facing the Rand conurbation

A conurbation is formed by merging or amalgamating of two or more neighbouring cities or towns forming a large town or city covering a big area with many economic activities gazatted
by the government with improved infrastructure and social services.




Rand conurbation is found in the middle of S. America formed by towns like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gemison, Springs, Upinton, Kimberly, Kruggers drop, Verenenging around R. Limpompo in the mining areas of gold and diamond.

Problems faced around the Rand conurbation

  • There are problems because of population increase and because of its physical expansion and the problems are physical and human.
  • Congestion in terms of traffic and housing causing inconveniences and delays like in Johannesburg, Pretoria.
  • Development of slums with poor living conditions like Soweto in Johannesburg.
  • Pollution of air, water and land because of wastes from industries, urban settlements causing destruction of plants, animals and the Ozone layer.
  • Increased crime rate and social problems like prostitution, drug addiction, robbery.
  • Unemployment and underemployment leading to low standard of living especially uneducated people and unskilled labour.
  • Increased cost of living because of paying for basic needs like food, accommodation, health facilities causing poverty
  • Easy spread of diseases which are contagious because of poor sanitation and facilities.
  • Increased government expenditure on the provision of social services and developing infrastructure.
  • Limited land for expansion making land expensive.




  • Encroachment of gazetted greens like national parks, game reserves, forest resources.
  • Poor urban planning because of limited resources causing conflicts and tensions.
  • Political instabilities and insecurity, strikes, demonstrations because of unemployed people being idle, limited facilities.
  • Racial discrimination because of mixing different tribes and cultures i.e. the blacks, whites, Indians.
  • Environmental degradation because of deforestation, swamp reclamation, destruction of the landscape causing destruction of plants and animals.
  • Over exploitation of resources causing exhaustion of forests, minerals.

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