Newtown, Johannesburg Explained

Newtown
Coordinates:-26.204°N 28.034°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Gauteng
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:City of Johannesburg
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Subdivision Name4:Johannesburg
Population Total:2,505
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Area Total Km2:0.85
Leader Party:African National Congress
Leader Title:Councillor
Leader Name:Nokuthula Albertina Xaba
Government Footnotes:[1]
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:90.0%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:1.9%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:6.4%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:1.2%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:0.6%
Demographics Type2:Language (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:Zulu
Demographics2 Info1:20.9%
Demographics2 Title2:English
Demographics2 Info2:12.5%
Demographics2 Title3:Tswana
Demographics2 Info3:10.0%
Demographics2 Title4:Northern Sotho
Demographics2 Info4:8.1%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:48.6%
Postal Code:2113

Newtown is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in the capital city of Gauteng Province[2] and in Region F of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. It has the coordinates of 26.204°S and 28.034°E. The suburb originated as a manufacturing district for brick production.[3]

Historical background

In the early 20th century, the Newtown Precinct was named "the Brickfields". In 1896, approximately 7,000 people[4] lived in the town.

A number of industries developed at Brickfields, such as trade firms, banks, brick factories, a brewery, and fisheries. Immigrants from other nations, also settled in Brieckfields.[5]

In April 1904, Mahatma Gandi declared an outbreak of the bubonic plague in Brickfield. The plague caused 82 fatalities and 112 people were reportedly diagnosed with it.[6] The local government initiated the fire brigade to start fires within the town, aiming to cease the plague.

Turbine Hall

Originally built between 1927 and 1934, the Turbine Hall became the largest "three steam-driven" power stations. It is situated in the middle of Newtown and has been deemed an iconic building in the art and culture precinct.[7]

Cleanup

The Greater Newtown Construction was initiated by City of Johannesburg Municipality Council, which rehabilitated old suburb structures, enhanced public open spaces, and introduced closed-circuit television.[8]

Newtown's street lighting was designed by the French engineer Patrick Rimoux.[9]

Regeneration

Johannesburg City Council partnered with Gauteng Agency, Blue IQ, in a project to develop the community of Newtown.[10] The project included building five housing developments in which Council states, "[it will] cater for different levels of income".[11]

The plan details that over 2,000 housing units will be built within a few years. The Nelson Mandela Bridge, inaugurated on 20 July 2003,[12] is the northern entrance to Newtown.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LGE 2016 List of Councillors. Electoral Commission of South Africa. August 2016.
  2. Mudzamatira. Witness. 2019. The Efficacy of Cultural Resources Management in Southern Gauteng Province, South Africa. The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 74. 209. 3–15. 26841984 .
  3. Web site: Newtown Improvement District - History. 2021-04-09. www.newtown.co.za.
  4. Web site: Region F Suburbs. 2021-04-09. www.joburg.org.za. en-ZA.
  5. Herbst. Michael. 1998. Second Johannesburg Biennale: Alternating Currents. African Arts. 31. 3. 74. 10.2307/3337580. 3337580.
  6. Mitchell. J. Alexander. 1921. Plague in South Africa: Perpetuation and Spread of Infection by Wild Rodents. The Journal of Hygiene. 20. 4. 377–382. 10.1017/s0022172400034112. 3859059. 20474748. 2207056. 0022-1724.
  7. Gaugle. 2005. Alternating Currents of Power: From Colonial to Post-apartheid Spatial Patterns in Newtown, Johannesburg. Urban Studies. 42. 13. 2335–2361. 10.1080/00420980500379453 . 43084426 . 154869892 . .
  8. Web site: Newtown Improvement District - History. 2021-04-04. www.newtown.co.za.
  9. Dirsuweit. Teresa. 1999-06-01. From fortress city to creative city. Urban Forum. en. 10. 2. 183–213. 10.1007/BF03036618. 154503763. 1874-6330.
  10. Web site: Development Planning. 2021-04-04. www.joburg.org.za. en-ZA.
  11. ROGERSON. Christian M.. ROGERSON. Jayne M.. 2016. Intra-urban spatial differentiation of tourism:: Evidence from Johannesburg, South Africa. Urbani Izziv. 27. 2. 125–137. 24921001. 0353-6483.
  12. Web site: 2019-05-27. Steel offers numerous advantages in bridge construction, says SAISC. 2021-04-04. Leading Architecture & Design. en-US.