Impacts of new universities on hosting cities and the implications for Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), University of Stellenbosch, Chamber of Mines (Geology) Building, Corner of Merriman Avenue and Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), University of Stellenbosch, Chamber of Mines (Geology) Building, Corner of Merriman Avenue and Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Kleinsmith, D., Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), University of Stellenbosch, Chamber of Mines (Geology) Building, Corner of Merriman Avenue and Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Horn, A., Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), University of Stellenbosch, Chamber of Mines (Geology) Building, Corner of Merriman Avenue and Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, South Africa
This research investigated the impact of the establishment of a new university on hosting cities by reviewing the literature on such impacts. The aim of the article is to establish the likely impact of a new university (Sol Plaatjie University) to be established in the city of Kimberley during 2014. The study found that generally a university could impact its hosting city in terms of its local economy, employment, human capital, social character and real-estate market. Given the current characteristics and demographic profile of Kimberley, it is likely that positive impacts of a new university in Kimberley would include increased spending capacity in the local economy and short-term employment gains during construction of the university infrastructure. The proposed university could, however, exacerbate the existing pressure on the rental market in Kimberley and encourage the out-migration of specific skilled professionals. The research concludes with a number of steps to be taken by a hosting city that could contribute to strengthening a university's role as an anchor for urban development. © 2015 Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC).