Mapping public art to explore the decolonization and Africanization of space in the inner city of Durban, South Africa
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Decolonizing South African urban spaces is crucial, particularly in the context of the post-apartheid reconciliation process, and, given the recent resistance against colonial and apartheid symbols and memorials in many institutions in the country. Public arts, particularly in urban centres previously secluded from Black people, constitute one significant means of a decolonial process. In this paper, we adopted an interdisciplinary Spatial Humanities approach, integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and qualitative analysis to assess how public art contributes to decolonizing and Africanising of public spaces in the inner city of Durban, South Africa. The paper is structured into four main stages: first, we conducted a photographic survey to document public art within Durban’s inner city; second, we employed GPS technology to record the spatial locations of these artworks; third, we employed QGIS software to create spatial maps illustrating the spatial distribution of public art in the inner city. Finally, we drew insights from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with local artists and art affiliates in Durban to explore the transformative process of Durban's inner city through public arts. By providing a visual and spatial representation of Africanized urban spaces, we offer a new perspective to advance the discussions on the decolonization of public spaces in South Africa and beyond.
Authors: Fidelis Joseph Udo, Subashini Gordon, Maheshvari Naidu, Garikai Membele
Language: English
Topic: Public Spaces through Art
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W4409524408