Williams, John J.2017-02-142017-02-142000Williams, J.J. (2000). South Africa: Urban transformation. Cities, 17(3): 167-1830264-2751http://hdl.handle.net/10566/2524http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(00)00012-3This paper discusses transformation as a multi-dimensional concept to effect social change in South African society in the post-apartheid era. The policy implications of such a variegated understanding of social change are examined with special reference to planning principles such as holism, capacity building, self-reliance, community integration, participatory democracy and so forth. It is argued that transformation is a multi-dimensional process, and whilst on the basis of provisional evidence there appears to be nascent forms of socio-spatial change, structurally, such apparent change is shot through by a number of contradictions, tensions and potential conflicts.enThis is the author final version of the published article available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(00)00012-3South AfricaPublic policyPlanningSocial changeApartheidPost-ApartheidUrban planningArticle