Recent trends in thought on planning legislation

There is growing interest in urban planning legislation in South Africa, as it is reflected in three provinces considering fundamental changes to their city planning ordinances. The article discusses some of the principles and dispute points that have been highlighted in recent conferences and talks. Aspects that are discussed are, among other things, the necessity of planning control, weaknesses in the current system of town planning schemes, the removal of development rights, development plans, the role of the market mechanism in statutory control over land use and power devolution